PM leads high-level response after North West Ferry distress call

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips is leading the Government’s high-level response to the MV Barima emergency as more than 50 people have been rescued from the passenger vessel following a distress call late Saturday night.

A coordinated search-and-rescue operation remains underway off Guyana’s coast near Iron Punt in the vicinity of the Pomeroon River, with both government and private-sector working together to locate and rescue the remaining passengers and crew.

The ferry departed at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday with 116 passengers, in addition to its crew, bound for Port Kaituma in the North West District. According to Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, the Timheri Control Tower received the vessel’s distress call at approximately 11:01 p.m., triggering the immediate activation of emergency response measures.

Air and sea assets from Regions Two and Three have been deployed to support the operation, while medical teams are aboard responding vessels. One of the Government’s transport steamers has also been positioned as a floating medical base to provide treatment to survivors.

Edghill said the MV Barima was equipped with 250 life jackets and six inflatable liferafts, in keeping with its safety requirements.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister who also the Acting President, is receiving continuous updates from response teams as the operation continues. Authorities said the Government’s immediate priority remains the safe rescue of every passenger and crew member.