By Javone Vickerie | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — As national scrutiny intensifies over systemic failures following the catastrophic capsizing of the M.V. Barima, former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson revealed that an independent maritime inspectorate established under the previous APNU+AFC Coalition government was quietly dismantled by the current administration—a decision he argues directly removed the essential safeguards that could have prevented the tragedy.
Speaking in an interview with Nightly News, Patterson explained that during his tenure, the Ministry implemented a mandatory secondary layer of inspection for all passenger and cargo ferries operated by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD). The initiative, spearhead-headed alongside former junior Minister Annette Ferguson and a specialized maritime advisory panel, was specifically engineered to curb rampant corrupt practices, including un-ticketed passenger boarding, off-the-books cargo loading, and fuel siphoning.
The Secondary Inspection System: How the Safeguard Functioned
According to Patterson, the inspectorate operated as an independent enforcement body completely separated from the shore staff responsible for loading and dispatching vessels:
- Independent Retired Officers: The unit recruited experienced, retired law enforcement and security officers to serve as neutral dockside inspectors.
- Mandatory Pre-Departure Audits: Before any ferry received clearance to leave the stelling, inspectors boarded the vessel to physically verify that every passenger possessed a valid ticket and that all cargo had been properly weighed, tagged, and logged.
- Fuel & Load Spot Checks: Inspectors conducted random spot-checks on fuel reserves and total weight distribution to prevent overloading and unauthorized cargo transport.
- Strict Clear-to-Sail Mandate: A vessel was legally prohibited from untying its moorings until the independent inspector personally signed off on the manifest matching the physical load on board.
[ COALITION DUAL-LAYER MARITIME CHECKPOINT ]
│
┌────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
[ Primary T&HD Stelling Staff ] [ Independent Inspectorate ]
- Collects fares and issues tickets - Conducts random passenger ticket audits
- Oversees physical cargo loading - Verifies cargo weight against manifest
- Manages vessel fuel supply - Signs off pre-departure clearance
│ │
└────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┘
▼
[ AUTHORIZED VESSEL DEPARTURE ]
“We hired retired and experienced officers to serve as an independent check,” Patterson recalled. “They would randomly check passengers to ensure everybody had a ticket, verify that cargo was weighed, and reconcile fuel records. The ferry could not sail until that inspector completed those checks. But when the incoming administration took office in 2020, they removed the inspectors, labeling them political appointees. Getting rid of that mechanism removed the exact safeguard designed to catch these irregularities.”
Systemic Breakdown at the Kingston Stelling
Patterson argued that the chaos surrounding the M.V. Barima—where dozens of rescued survivors were missing from the official passenger manifest—is a direct consequence of eliminating independent oversight. He noted that relying solely on T&HD stelling staff to inspect their own work creates an environment vulnerable to off-the-record cash collection and dangerous overloading.
The former Minister added that removing the inspectorate also diluted inter-agency coordination, leaving a dangerous void regarding which entity possessed the clear authority, trained personnel, and operational protocols to enforce maritime safety regulations. As state investigators review CCTV footage and interrogate suspended port staff, Patterson insisted that any meaningful probe must examine why proven structural safeguards were scrapped, exposing citizens on riverain routes to fatal risks.
