The five-member Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Barima pledged on Wednesday to conduct an independent, transparent and people-centred investigation into the July 18, 2026 tragedy.

Introducing the commissioners to the media, Chairman Justice Godfrey P. Smith said the inquiry would examine not only the vessel’s final moments but also the decisions, conditions and failures that may have contributed to its sinking.

“We approach our task with no predetermined view… and will inquire into al

The Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy is promising an independent, evidence-driven investigation, as preparations advance to raise the sunken vessel for forensic examination.

Commission Chairman Justice Godfrey Smith says the inquiry will follow the evidence wherever it leads, without fear or favour.

As the Commission begins its work to determine what caused the MV Barima tragedy, efforts are advancing to bring the vessel bac

- Pres. Ali tells regional stakeholders

-by Jordan Alkins

President Irfaan Ali is calling for greater regional cooperation on disaster preparedness, technology and food security, as the Caribbean strategizes the future of its tourism industry.

In his address to the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC )2026, President Ali said disaster preparedness and business continuity should be built into tourism investments from the start.

He proposed that investment agreements include conting

Commissioners investigating the sinking of the MV Barima have visited key maritime facilities as part of efforts to establish what went wrong and whether shortcomings in safety and oversight contributed to the tragedy.

The visits formed part of the Commission of Inquiry’s initial fact-finding exercise, ahead of formal hearings expected to begin next week.

The Commission, chaired by Justice Godfrey P. Smith, visited the Kingston Wharf, the Maritime Administration Department

The first thing millions of people around the world do each morning is open their eyes. And from that moment, they begin navigating their day through the precious gift of sight.

We read messages on our phones, navigate busy roads, recognise the faces of loved ones, go to work, attend school, watch television and take in the world around us, all through our eyes.

As the saying goes, the eyes are the windows to the world.

Yet despite how much we depend on our vision, eye health i

Survivors and families of those who lost loved ones travelled long distances on Wednesday to the Arthur Chung Convention Centre to meet the commissioners investigating the MV Barima tragedy. 

They came, elders and many with small children, an estimated 120 individuals, to speak about what they endured, their loss, grief and their anguish. They deserved to be heard by the commissioners, but instead everyone was treated to a political performance.

Five WIN parliamentarians, including the Leader of the O