Former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson has urged authorities to conduct immediate inspections of all passenger vessels operating within the national fleet to determine their seaworthiness and suitability for service.
Speaking during a joint opposition press conference on Wednesday, Patterson called for a comprehensive independent investigation into the maintenance and operational history of the MV Barima, stressing that the tragedy had exposed serious concerns about maritime safety and oversight.
He said the focus must extend beyond the circumstances of the sinking to include the vessel’s maintenance record, inspection history, certification process and overall management.
“This is not about one vessel. It is about public safety, accountability and the rights of citizens in riverain and hinterland communities to travel with confidence,” Patterson said, adding that for a vessel of that age, maintenance was a matter of public safety rather than routine administration.
Patterson questioned whether changes to maintenance arrangements in recent years may have affected the vessel’s long-term reliability.
The former minister also raised concern over what he described as the dismantling of an independent inspection system for vessels, arguing that such oversight mechanisms had played an important role in ensuring compliance with safety standards and preventing unsafe operational practices.
He called for a full and independent examination of the maintenance, inspection, dry-docking and certification record of the MV Barima, in accordance with Guyana’s maritime laws.
Patterson also advocated for the modernisation of docking facilities, improved passenger ticketing and registration systems, and the replacement of ageing vessels with a modern fleet supported by upgraded terminals.
