The five-member Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy concluded three site visits on Thursday, ahead of its first formal evidence-taking sitting the coming Wednesday.
The commissioners inspected the bond at the Transport and Harbours Department Head Office, the Goods Wharf and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).
The Commission is considering whether to take evidence in affected communities. Only one person has volunteered to testify so far, Secretary to the Commission Javed Shadick said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Shadick said commissioners will decide whether to travel to communities outside Georgetown based on how many people wish to give evidence.
He said the Commission has considered the challenges facing residents of remote areas, who may struggle to travel to Georgetown because of the cost and distance involved.
"As the commission works, they will make a determination as to whether they will go to those communities. It all depends on how many persons actually want to give evidence," Shadick said.
He said the picture should become clearer after the Commission meets families and survivors in affected communities. Those engagements will help commissioners assess how many people may need to appear before the inquiry, he added.
Shadick said current and former members of the MV Barima's crew could provide important evidence. Asked whether they would be able to testify, he said they are welcome to do so but noted the constitutional protection against self-incrimination.
"However, our Constitution protects us from self-incrimination," he said, adding that it remains to be seen whether crew members will choose to speak.
The first sitting follows preliminary visits, inspections and meetings with affected families and survivors.