@kingpinnewsnetwork2: …Captain and first mate among first recovered Day 6 of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the tragic sinking of the MV Barima brought further testimonies today, revealing directives from Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill to first responders alongside harrowing accounts of the search and rescue operation at sea. Testifying before Commission counsel Teni Housty, MARAD pilot trainee Shemar Morrison, certified in first aid and medical care, and holding an operational watch unlimited certificate, detailed the early hours of the rescue effort. Morrison revealed that during a general briefing, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill explicitly instructed first responders to "be safe and don’t post photos don’t want to cause a stir in the media." Morrison told the Commission that among the first 24 persons recovered from the water were the vessel’s captain Kevin Price and first mate Rondell Roberts. Both were administered immediate first aid. Morrison recalled that the first mate was brought aboard the pilot vessel Haiama without visible physical injuries, but was given a blanket due to the risk of hypothermia, with similar care provided to the captain. Describing the deployment, Morrison stated he arrived at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Kingston before heading to Goods Wharf. Operating aboard the Haiama, he plotted response coordinates, which he received via a photo on his cell phone, into the ship's Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). Confirming that sea conditions were "a bit rough," the crew reduced speed from 24 knots at approximately 4:30 AM as they began spotting floating wreckage, including life jackets, iceboxes, gas bottles, and food items. Reaching the search coordinates at 4:55 AM, the crew received a VHF call from the Harbour Master regarding the transfer of survivors. The Haiama ultimately transported 50 survivors to the Pomeroon base by 7:30 AM, while the first mate Rondell Roberts remained behind. Among those brought ashore was one unresponsive individual; Morrison testified that upon checking for signs of life, the victim had no pulse and no breathing. Morrison noted that rescue operations utilized two pilot vessels, the Haiama and Haiaca, operating one mile apart under the direction of Christopher Bailey, while also highlighting ongoing signal connectivity challenges during the mission. Under Bailey's instructions, Morrison returned to regular duties two days after the incident. #news #breakingnews #newsguyana #guyanesetiktok🇬🇾 #carbbeantiktok🇬🇾🇯🇲🇹🇹🇧🇸🇧🇧🇱🇨

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Wednesday 21 October 2026 17:24:46 GMT