Government launches tender for salvaging of MV Barima

The Government of Guyana has decided to salvage the sunken MV Barima ferry and has open a tender process through the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD). The MV Barima sank two weeks ago off the coast of Essequibo claiming the lives of more than 70 people, with at least 30 others still to be recovered. A total of 75 persons were rescued from the ferry disaster. The Government has been coming under increasing pressure to salvage the ferry, as it is suspected that there may still be bodies trapped in the vessel. According to the Tender notice from MARAD, it is seeking reputable salvage companies with a proven track record of successful vessel salvage operations in Guyanese or wider Caribbean waters, particularly environments characterized by strong currents and restricted visibility. The interested companies would have to provide details on their experience as well as a plan of action to salvage the sunken vessel with an emphasis on the measures to be employed to protect and document forensic evidence for use by the Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy. The tender process will close within two weeks on the 14th August, 2026. Earlier this week, the Government had indicated that it was considering the salvaging of the vessel but that would have been dependent on the input of grieving family members of the victims. Many of those family members and survivors have since indicated that they want the vessel to be salvaged.