The Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the MV Barima sinking has suspended oral hearings until November 10 to gather more evidence and statements, particularly from survivors and families of those affected.
COI Chairman retired Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith announced the adjournment on Thursday after scheduling difficulties arose from the lengthy testimony of Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Emergency Operations Division Coordinator Captain John Flores.

Flores began testifying in the morning and continued into the afternoon, with the commission indicating that his evidence would not be completed in the time first anticipated.
Counsel Arud Gossai said arrangements had been made for Flores to resume on Friday, but other witnesses had already been stood down after being told they might not be needed on Thursday or Friday. Three medical doctors had been prepared to testify, he said.

"So our hands are tied and the short answer to your question is that we have no witnesses lined up for tomorrow (Friday)," Gossai told Smith.
Smith said the commissioners recognised by lunchtime that Flores could not finish that day and would have to continue on Friday. To avoid wasting the time of professionals, including the doctors, counsel were told to inform the witnesses that they were stood down for both days.

With no witnesses available for Friday, the commission decided to adjourn oral hearings. Smith said the pause would allow the secretariat to collect further evidence and statements, particularly from survivors who have not yet given accounts of their experiences. The commission believes visiting survivors in their communities could make it easier for them to share information.
He stressed that the suspension did not mean a halt to the inquiry's work.

"Equally we wish to point out that the fact that we pause oral hearings does not mean that the work of the commission comes to a stand still," he said.
Oral testimony is "only one part of our work," Smith said, noting that substantial evidence and documentation had already been collected. The commission had heard from 33 witnesses by Thursday and had accumulated documents measuring at least one foot in height.

During the adjournment, the commissioners will continue to review and process the material gathered so far, while the secretariat pursues additional statements from survivors and other affected persons.
"We wish to assure the public notwithstanding the pause in oral testimony the work of the commission will continue apace until we resume oral hearings," Smith said.
Hearings are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, November 10.

The MV Barima sank on July 18 while travelling from Georgetown towards Port Kaituma, prompting a search-and-rescue operation and a recovery effort. The COI was established to investigate the circumstances, including the events leading up to the sinking, the vessel's operations, maritime safety oversight and the emergency response. It is also expected to identify any failures and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.