Guyanese President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has officially sworn in members of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that will investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly MV Barima ferry tragedy.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at State House on July 30, where Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman administered the oaths to the commission’s chair, Godfrey Philip Smith of Belize, who participated virtually, and commissioners Captain Hamada Fouda of Jamaica, Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland and Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ali said the commission had been given a broad mandate to examine every aspect of the disaster.

“Its Terms of Reference are deliberately broad and searching. They require the Commission to determine the facts, examine the causes and contributing factors, evaluate compliance with applicable laws and operational standards, assess the effectiveness of the search, rescue and recovery operations, identify any shortcomings or failures, and recommend reforms necessary to strengthen the safety and resilience of our maritime transportation system,” the President said.

The Commission of Inquiry was announced by the President in the aftermath of the MV Barima tragedy, which claimed the lives of more than 70 people, including children, while more than 30 others remain missing at sea.

The inquiry comes as the captain of the vessel and two crew members face murder charges in connection with the incident.

Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, along with other government ministers, attended the swearing-in ceremony.