4 missing at sea in ENBP
A search and rescue operation is continuing in East New Britain Province for four men still missing after a boat capsized near Pigeon Island on Saturday.
The four, all male, were among 14 passengers travelling to the Duke of York Islands from Kokopo town on Saturday, when the vessel capsized.
East New Britain Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Amanda Kates, has confirmed that nine of the passengers have been rescued while one has died.
The remaining four are still missing.
PPC Kates said the area of search has been extended to West New Britain waters with shipping traffic travelling between East and West New Britain to help in the search of the remaining four male passengers.
Saturday’s boat mishap happened at the same location as the July 18 tragedy near Pigeon Island where 27 people including men, women and children perished.
On July 18, two boats carrying health workers, their families and friends capsized while returning from Pangpang Island in the Duke of York Islands to Kokopo.
Of the 29 people aboard both boats, 27 died, while the two skippers survived.
The East New Britain Governor - Michael Marum had since called for lessons to be learn to avoid repetition after the province lost lives in this sea incident.
Just a month before Saturday's incident, Pomio District also recorded a fatal mishap.
A 23-foot boat - Tepal, carrying 13 passengers and store goods, capsized near Saie Reef, less than a kilometre East of Pomio Station on August 21 after encountering rough seas.
Out of the 13 passengers on board, nine were rescued on the first day by local search teams, two died while two remain missing and unaccounted for.
Search teams coordinated by the Pomio District administration searched the coastline and reefs for 12 consecutive days before operations were scaled down on September 2.
The three incidents have raised concerns among authorities in the province over overloading, lack of safety gear, and travelling in rough seas.
Governor Marum had previously stated that warnings on recent disasters were issued, but many people in rural areas did not receive them, and often risk their lives at sea to access essential services like hospitals and stores.
Meanwhile, PPC Kates has urged all small craft owners and operators to ensure life jackets are carried and to check weather conditions before travelling.