Survivors of the July 18 MV Barima tragedy recounted their harrowing experiences on Tuesday as members of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) met with affected families and residents at the Port Kaituma Community Centre, ahead of formal hearings scheduled to begin in Georgetown on Wednesday, October 14.

Approximately 30 persons attended the engagement, during which commissioners outlined the inquiry’s mandate and encouraged survivors and other affected individuals to come forward and provide evidence.

Chairman of the Commission, Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith, briefed residents on the inquiry’s objectives and the importance of firsthand accounts in establishing the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s capsizing.

Among those who spoke was survivor Anndya Deally, who recalled the frightening moments she and her daughter endured while awaiting rescue.

“Somebody got to come and rescue we. We prayed and asked God to send someone to rescue we,” she recounted.

Deally and her daughter were subsequently rescued by a Coast Guard vessel.

Another survivor, Bernard Younge, recalled being on the side of the vessel that tilted as it capsized.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said, reflecting on the ordeal.

Commissioners urged survivors and others affected by the tragedy to participate in the formal hearings, assuring residents that arrangements would be made to facilitate travel to Georgetown for those willing to testify.

Tuesday’s engagement followed a similar meeting in Mabaruma on Monday, where commissioners listened to concerns raised by survivors and affected families.

During that visit, the commission also inspected the wharf facility at Kumaka to gain firsthand insight into conditions associated with the vessel’s route.

Justice Smith assured residents that concerns falling outside the commission’s mandate, including assistance to affected families, would be relayed to the Government.

The commission aims to complete its investigation within six months, focusing on establishing the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents.

The five-member commission is chaired by Justice Smith of Belize, CARICOM High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and an Ad Hoc Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.

The other members are Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, a forensic naval architect and marine engineer; Captain Hamada Fouda, Senior Maritime Surveyor and Compliance Auditor with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica; Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago, an attorney specialising in Admiralty and Maritime Law; and Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago, former Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.

Established by President Dr Irfaan Ali, the commission is tasked with conducting an independent and impartial inquiry into the July 18 capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima, which was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.