Recounting the hours leading up to the tragic sinking of the MV Barima ferry, one survivor told the members of the Commission of Inquiry today that the ferry’s engine kept encountering problems during the voyage on July 18, 2026.

The survivor, Eve Jerome, was traveling along with her two children, 12-year-old Alliya Gonsalves and three-year-old Jerome Jacobs, when the vessel capsized and sank with more than 179 persons on board.

Jerome’s two children were among the more than 100 persons who lost their lives.

The grieving mother and other family members and survivors met with the members of the Commission of Inquiry as the Commission visited Mabaruma in Region One today.

Jerome told the Commission that the incident occurred around 10 pm on the night of July 18.

She said the vessel was experiencing engine problems, explaining that the engine had “cut out” at least three times before the vessel capsized.

“While traveling the engine cut out around 5 o’clock time, the engine cut out and then after they start it up back again. And then about 9 o’clock again, it cut out again….and then the engine cut out again but it start-up back quick time,” Jerome recalled.

It was explained that when the vessel started to capsize, many of the passengers were asleep. The woman said it was her daughter who alerted her to the problems that the ferry was encountering as it started to capsize.

The grieving mother said she tried to hold onto her two children, but after being flung overboard, the waves were two strong, and swept them away.

Jerome survived by holding onto a vinyl roll. She spent hours in the water before she along with others were rescued around 5am the next day.

Another survivor also recalled that the boat had engine issues.

It was explained that when the engine shut down, power to the entire vessel was cut off as well, plunging it into darkness.

Meanwhile, another survivor, Leon Murray, told the COI Members that he boarded the vessel with eight of his family members, but only he and his 27-year-old son, Leron Murray were the only ones who survived the tragedy.

Murray lost his wife, 15-year-old daughter and four grandchildren in the tragedy.

He told the Commissioners that within minutes, the heavily laden vessel sank, and there was not much he could have done to save his family.

“I couldn’t save none of my family, how this thing happen so quick…but the steamer de real pack with load, load, all the sides, all down at the back with load. And before this boat left, a man come down at the wharf and said, oh no this boat overload,” Murray said.

Other survivors also indicated to the Commission that the boat was packed beyond capacity.

As part of their visit to Mabaruma, the Commissioners also visited Kumaka waterfront, and the Kumaka packaging facility in Region One. Tomorrow they are expected to travel to Port Kaituma where they will meet with more survivors and the families of those who perished in the tragedy.

The visits are being conducted ahead of public hearings set to commence on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

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