Government seeks family's input on MV Barima salvage decision; Diving operations suspended

The Government of Guyana is turning to the family members of those who perished in the MV Barima ferry tragedy to assist in its final decision on whether or not to salvage the sunken ferry, which remains on the ocean bed offshore Essequibo. With the divers who were supporting the search and recovery operations suspending their activities at the site of the sunken vessel, the Government will make a final decision on the salvaging of the vessel. At a press conference this evening, Prime Minister Mark Phillips told reporters that the Government has received multiple international offers to assist in the salvaging of the vessel, but it will ultimately decide on that based on the recommendation from the grieving family members. The Prime Minister said a number of Family members have indicated that they prefer for the site of the tragedy to become a memorial site. "There are several offers being submitted to the Government, several proposals for the salvaging of the vessel and as I speak with you, in addition to those offers to salvage the vessel, it is the wishes of the family that are important at this stage, because if there is an indication from the family that they prefer that the area be deemed a memorial site, then we go that option, but if the family feels we should go ahead and salvage the vessel then the Government is likely to go ahead with that", he said. Questioned about the upcoming Commission of Inquiry and whether valuable information and evidence may be needed from the sunken vessel, the Prime Minister said the Commission of Inquiry will go ahead with its work whether or not there is a salvaging of the vessel. He repeatedly stated that it is the wishes of the family members that will be considered in the Government's decision. "Diving was suspended yesterday in terms of search and recovery and if diving has been suspended, it leaves us with two options now, its either the vessel remain in its current position as is, or we entertain one of the offers to salvage it, and as I said, the family's wishes will guide us as to which of the two options is pursued", PM Phillips said. News Source understands that the Government has already started to distribute a questionnaire document to the grieving family members on the issue. With the possibility of some family members wanting the vessel to be salvaged while others might prefer for it to remain where it is, the Prime Minister said a conflict resolution expert might have to be brought in to address such a possibility.