GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC)–The Guyana Government has moved to the next stage in efforts to salvage the MV Barima, with Expressions of Interest from specialised marine salvage contractors to be evaluated before a contractor is selected.

The country’s Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said the government will assess the proposals before determining which contractor will be invited to negotiate a contract.

“Today’s the day bids come in. Then, they have to go through the bids. They have to do evaluation and then determine who will get the contract. Then we negotiate the contract,” Phillips said at a press conference on Friday.

The salvage process was initiated by the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation through the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), which invited qualified marine salvage contractors to submit expressions of interest for the vessel’s recovery.

The MV Barima capsized and sank on July 18 off Guyana’s north-west coast and is lying in approximately 13 to 15 metres of water. Some 72 people have been confirmed dead and the ill-fated vessel is estimated to have been carrying 179 people at the time of the disaster.

The operation is expected to present significant technical challenges, with prospective contractors required to demonstrate relevant marine salvage experience, technical capability, equipment, personnel and safety, and environmental systems.

Proposals must also address the preservation and documentation of evidence for the Commission of Inquiry into the disaster. The successful contractor must additionally demonstrate the capacity to recover the vessel and keep it upright on a barge for several weeks following the salvage operation.