Months after the MV Barima sank, families are still waiting for answers.

The government began looking for a salvage contractor in August. About ten companies expressed interest and three put in bids. The tender requires the ship to be raised intact, and Kaieteur News has questioned whether any of the three has done that kind of salvage before. On 26 September President Ali said the bids are being re-evaluated. No contractor has been announced. Families have picketed under the call “Float the Barima”: they want the ship raised to recover their loved ones' remains and the evidence the inquiry needs.

“We need answers; our brother's remains.”

Gailann Thomas, who lost her brothers Kyle and Brian

“We are not hiding from salvaging; there is a process and that process is ongoing.”

President Irfaan Ali, 26 September

Kaieteur News: 14 Sep, on the bidders, 16 Sep, Float the Barima, 26 Sep, the President. Kiskadee Watch: 23 Sep

President Ali set up the H.E.A.R.T. Initiative to give families long-term help: legal help with documents, counselling, medical care, spiritual support, and help for affected children. Families say little of it has reached them. One family received two food hampers. Others say social workers stopped visiting, especially after families began to protest.

Leon Murray of Mabaruma lost six relatives. He turned down a government offer of $5 million in total for all six. The family of chief engineer Paul Seepersad has also refused a settlement, saying they would have to “sign away their rights”. Families have told reporters they were pressed to sign documents that they fear would release the government from legal or financial responsibility for the sinking.

Payments for burial costs have not been equal either. The Cort family says it was given $650,000 for each missing relative while other families received $350,000, with no explanation for the difference.

“For about three weeks now, nobody hasn't come back to my home.”

Diane Cort, whose husband Neil is still missing

“I am looking for justice.”

Leon Murray, Mabaruma

Kiskadee Watch: 23 Sep, 24 Sep, 29 Sep. Kaieteur News: 16 Sep, 30 Sep

Families have called every week for the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, to resign. Asked at Parliament on 25 September whether he had given evidence to the Commission and whether he accepted responsibility, he said he was “not a part of the Commission of Inquiry” and repeated that he would speak at the right time.

On 30 September, relatives of missing crew members gathered on Main Street in Georgetown as the President's motorcade passed. They called for the ship to be raised, for the remains of the missing to be recovered, and for Ministers Deodat Indar and Juan Edghill to resign. The convoy did not stop. Kaieteur News also reports that internal documents show the vessel had known technical faults before it left.

“At the right time I will speak on the matter.”

Minister Juan Edghill, 25 September

Kaieteur News: 27 Sep, 30 Sep

Captain Kevin Price, chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts and goods superintendent Delon Granderson are charged with murder. On 29 September their lawyers asked the Charity Magistrate's Court to stay the case as an abuse of process. They argue the charges were brought before the marine casualty investigation that Part XVIII of the Shipping Act requires, and that the inquiry and the criminal case now overlap. The prosecution has until 12 October to respond. The magistrate is due to rule on 19 October.

Kiskadee Watch, 29 Sep; Kaieteur News, 29 Sep

Many of those aboard were from Indigenous and riverain communities in the North West. The Amerindian Peoples Association says these communities deserve the same safety standards and public services as everyone else. It is calling for an independent technical investigation to international standards, public hearings people can attend and follow, support for affected families, and publication of the inquiry's findings.

“Remember we must, forget we will not.”

Raphael Joseph, Toshao of Kangaruma

Kiskadee Watch, 10 Sep