Efforts to refloat sunken Guyanese vessel to begin Wednesday

Guyana's government is launching a critical new phase in its rescue and recovery efforts, with operations to refloat the sunken MV Barima scheduled to begin Wednesday at midday. The 87-year-old ferry, which was traveling from the capital Georgetown to Port Kaituma, capsized late Saturday night.

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We are continuing all night. There is a plan also being discussed now between the technical people, the Coast Guard and the expertise that came in. We are going to try to activate that plan by midday tomorrow.

The maritime tragedy has so far claimed the lives of 53 people, including 15 children. Authorities report that 76 others have been rescued, but an estimated 70 individuals remain unaccounted for. The search for the missing continues around the clock.

President Irfaan Ali briefed families of the missing on Tuesday night, assuring them that all possible efforts would be exhausted. The refloating operation will utilize specialized flotation equipment to lift the vessel from the seabed, allowing responders greater access for the ongoing rescue and recovery mission. Additional divers and specialized assets are expected to arrive Wednesday to bolster the operation.

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We have not ruled out rescue just yet.

Teams from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, police, private sector partners, and civilian volunteers are maintaining the search. Advanced seabed mapping technology, supported by ExxonMobil, has helped pinpoint the vessel's exact position, revealing it rests on its starboard side near the shoreline. While the official manifest listed 116 passengers and a 17-member crew, authorities believe as many as 179 people may have been on board.

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But right now, the focus and the concentration is on searching and recovering as much as possible bodies from the vessel.