The members of the MV Commission of Inquiry may find themselves facing an uphill task in securing the trust of the families of the victims of the ferry tragedy.
This afternoon the members of the long-awaited Commission of Inquiry met with grieving family members, survivors and others at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre ahead of next week’s start of the Commission’s public hearings.
Addressing the Commissioners for the first time today, Jasmin Cort who lost her father and uncle in the tragedy questioned whether the Commission as part of its investigation will address the continued delay in salvaging the wreckage, and the delays could affected both the recovery of those still missing and the preservation of evidence.
“Now will the Commission investigate the Barima complete history of mechanical failures, maintenance and repairs, inspection certifications, overcrowding and any previous warning signs?” Cort asked.
Commissioner Nyree Dawn Alfonso, who is an Attorney-at-Law with expertise in Maritime Law, told Cort that while salvaging the vessel may not result in the recovery of her loved ones, it will certainly assist the Commission in having an understanding of the state of the vessel when it sank.
However, she also made it clear that the absence of the vessel will not hamper the work of the Commission, and the quality of its investigation. From the time of her appointment in July, Alfonso had recommended that the wreckage be retrieved.
Weighing in on the query, Commissioner Dr Andrzej Jasionowski said the Commission as been assured that the Government will be moving to salvage the vessel. It was Dr Jasionowski who first announced during the meeting that BK International was contracted by the Government to salvage the wreckage.
Both Alfonso and Dr Jasionowski also assured the families that the Commission will assess the long history of the 87-year-old vessel.
Dr. Jasionowski noted that the Commission is already reviewing documents submitted by the Transport and Harbours Department.
But the assurances of the Commission were not enough to allay the concerns of the families present.
Royston Frank – the father of Rawle Frank, who was among the crew members who lost their lives in the accident, expressed disappointment that almost three months after the tragedy, the vessel has not been salvaged.
“We heard about these three bidders but we never hear who win the bid. Is today, we heard BK. Now why it didn’t publish? I would really like to know when BK get the award to salvage this boat. Because we are just like sailors in this room here today. To be honest, we don’t know nothing what going on,” Frank said as he vented his frustration.
Frank said Guyanese, and most importantly the families of the victims, must be apprised of BK International’s expertise in salvaging vessels sunken at sea.
Added to that, Frank told those present that there should be no COI until the vessel is salvaged.
“The boat got to raise first, and then that will start, then you will get the real Commission of Inquiry. But for now if y’all doing y’all ground work, I respect that,” Frank submitted.
Gailaan Thomas, who lost two brothers in the tragedy told the Commission that the older of the two brothers has not been recovered as yet.
Thomas said the MV Barima was heavily laden and in bad shape when it sank.
“There was a lot of goods on that boat. There were machineries on that boat, and roller, trucks and all those things on that boat, and how can you do an investigation without floating that boat when the evidence is on that boat. That is what we want. Salvage the boat, then you get the evidence. How can you go an investigate without the evidence?” Thomas told the Commission.
Survivor Kenton Arthur confirmed to the Commission that the vessel was overloaded when it sank. Arthur lost his entire family.
“I lose my wife, my two kids, the father-in-law, the mother and other family members to within the same tragedy. This boat was overloaded, fully packed and just like what my friend said, it was night, pitch dark. I could not have done anything to save my two kids and my wife. This thing happened in a flash,” Arthur said.
Dolly Cox, who lost her father Kenneth Cox expressed no confidence in the Commission and its work.
The Opposition Leader also expressed his lack of confidence in the Commission, even after the assurances from the members of the Commission that they will conduct a thorough probe.
(Svetlana Marshall)
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