Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Captain, Anthony Williams, appeared before the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry today and testified that three vessels belonging to the department responded to the MV Barima disaster during the initial stages.

Captain Williams was the first personnel from the Maritime Department to appear before the Commission of Inquiry (COI) since the start of the public hearings last week.  

He told the five-member Commission today that when he was first alerted to the tragedy, he was told that the MV Barima had encountered engine failure, before eventually being informed that the ferry had capsized and sank.

He said he was told that his assistance was needed using a 22-meter-long motor tug designed to do surveying.

Williams told the Commission that when he arrived at MARAD, he was informed that the first pilot vessel – the Haiakwa – had already departed for the site of the tragedy at sea, while the second pilot vessel – the Haiama – was being fueled for departure.

Williams said the Arau was the last to leave port Georgetown to assist with the search and rescue operations.

Using that vessel, Mr. Williams and team arrived at the disaster location three and a half hours later.

He said as they entered the location, objects could be seen floating in the water.

“While we were heading to the locations, there were items from the wreck that had started to float such as the ice box, gas bottles, book bags, clothes, shoes, everything. Like two or three life rafts were floating,” he recalled.

The MARAD Captain said in the area at least two small gas cylinders were removed from the water, and he also recalled seeing two life rafts. He said there was no one inside those life rafts. His team, however, did not rescue anyone.

Williams explained that at the time he was informed that the two other MARAD pilot vessels had already secured a number of survivors, and had already taken them to safety.

Two other officials from MARAD also appeared before the Commission today.

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