The MV Barima passenger ferry capsized and sank off the North Atlantic coast of Guyana on Saturday night, July 18, 2026. The vessel was traveling from the capital, Georgetown, to the northwestern village of Port Kaituma when it encountered severe difficulties.
The ferry issued its first distress call around 11:00 PM local time on Saturday after reportedly being struck by a large wave. Survivors noted that water began rapidly rushing into the cargo hold, causing the 40-meter vessel to quickly tilt and roll over.
The state-operated MV Barima was an 87-year-old vessel built in 1939. Severe concerns have been raised regarding its seaworthiness, as it was slated for major dry-dock repairs later in the year.
Now, a massive search and rescue operation is actively underway to locate survivors and recover those missing.
Current Casualties and Rescues
* 27 bodies have been recovered by divers and search teams as of Monday afternoon.
* 69 survivors have been rescued, including 15 children.
* 83 people remain officially missing at sea.
The actual number of victims remains highly uncertain due to a fraudulent passenger manifest. While original records indicated 133 people were on board (116 passengers and 17 crew), video boarding footage and rescue discrepancies confirmed that at least 179 people were on the vessel.
Investigators discovered that 32 of the rescued survivors were never documented on the official ship manifest.
Guyanese Public Works Minister Juan Edghill described the unmanifested cash-for-seats scheme at state piers as a “criminal action”.
The disaster investigation however, quickly turned criminal. The ferry’s captain and first engineer were arrested and taken into police custody after medical drug tests revealed they tested positive for marijuana while operating the ship. Prime Minister Mark Phillips has launched a comprehensive investigation focusing on crew negligence, institutional failures, and safety non-compliance.
The search zone has been expanded to 1,040 square kilometers (401 square miles). The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, local fishermen, and private oil sector vessels equipped with specialized underwater scanners are combing the waters. Neighboring countries have also deployed resources and Coast Guard personnel to assist in the international recovery effort.
