Repeated Radio Calls to MV Barima Went Unanswered, COI Hears

18-minute alert gap, muzzled rescuers highlighted as harbour master says vessel ‘sank really fast’

…Westzyde Marine provided asset support By Khadidja Ba (Kaieteur News) – The ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the tragic sinking of the MV Barima exposed vulnerabilities and systemic communication gaps within national maritime emergency response frameworks, as acting Harbour Master Romain Seurattan, MARAD pilot trainee Shemar Morrison, and lighthouse attendant David Chisholm shared their testimonies. […]

Several attempts to contact MV Barima went unanswered – Lighthouse attendant tells CoI

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly capsizing of MV Barima on Wednesday heard that several attempts were made to contact the vessel around midnight on July 18 following a distress alert, but there was no response. “I kept trying and trying and trying, [but got] no response,” David Chisholm, a Lighthouse Attendant attached […]

MARAD's communication systems inadequate- MV Barima COI Commissioner

Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 21:08 by Written By Denis Chabrol The Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) communication systems appear inadequate,  Retired Rear Admiral of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Hayden Pritchard said during Wednesday’s hearing of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the capsizing of the MV Barima ferry more than three months […]

Repeated radio calls to MV Barima went unanswered – COI hears

Repeated attempts to contact the MV Barima by radio around midnight went unanswered after a distress alert concerning the vessel was received, Lighthouse Attendant David Chisholm told the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Wednesday. Chisholm, who is attached to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), said he attempted to reach the vessel on very high frequency […]

Repeated radio calls to MV Barima went unanswered, COI hears

Repeated attempts to contact the MV Barima by radio around midnight went unanswered after a distress alert concerning the vessel was received, Lighthouse Attendant David Chisholm told the Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday. Chisholm, who is attached to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), said he attempted to reach the vessel on VHF Channel 16 on […]