The Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the MV Barima tragedy has revised its schedule of hearings for survivors and relatives of those who died or remain missing, pushing back sessions for residents of Mabaruma and Port Kaituma by one day.

In a notice issued on November 11, the Commission announced that the hearing for Mabaruma and its satellite villages, originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, will now take place on Thursday, November 19.

The session for Port Kaituma and surrounding communities has also been moved from Thursday, November 19, to Friday, November 20.

Hearings for residents of Regions Three and Four will proceed as planned on Monday, November 16, followed by Regions Five and Six on Tuesday, November 17.

All sessions will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

The hearings form part of the Commission's ongoing investigation into the MV Barima disaster, which claimed dozens of lives and left families searching for answers about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The Commission has also amended its rules to allow survivors and relatives to give oral testimony even if they have not submitted a signed witness statement.

Under the revised procedure, witnesses may present their evidence through their attorneys. Those without legal representation may be questioned directly by the Commissioners or Commission Counsel.

Witnesses may subsequently face questions or cross-examination in accordance with the Commission's procedures.

The change is intended to accommodate those wishing to share their experiences or provide information relevant to the investigation.

The Commission's Secretariat will coordinate travel arrangements and other accommodations for survivors and families of those who died or remain missing.