The MV Barima wreck will not be salvaged although many families remain hopeful of seeing the remains of their loved ones who could be trapped inside the vessel.
Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, in a sideline interview at parliament, outlined the complexities involved in raising the vessel, stating, “If you listen to the interview with the French, right, the whole issue of raising the vessels has not been further at this stage because it’s difficult to do that exercise now. The vessel is likely to remain there as is. The local divers, the French divers, they’re the best,” Phillps explained.
He praised the expertise of the divers involved, and noted that mobilizing other divers would not change the situation, “They went inside and outside the vessel and just listen to their report. It’s difficult. Bringing other divers will not change the situation.”
Despite the government’s decision, many families continue to gather daily at the Charity Waterfront, hoping for answers, as they have been told that search and recovery efforts are ongoing.
On July 26, the French divers reported that they completed a total of 15 dives at the wreck during their time at the site. They described the conditions as unbearable due to strong tides and currents, which significantly impeded their operations. Additionally, they noted that visibility around the wreck was poor, making it extremely challenging to enter and explore the vessel. The divers also emphasized that salvaging the wreck is a highly difficult task, as the structure is not very strong and cannot withstand extensive handling or lifting efforts.
“On the wreck dark, it’s very difficult to navigate the wreck. It’s very difficult to see where we are going.”
