Navy vessel Kula back at base; search ongoing for sailor Lakepa
The naval vessel Kula has returned to base after the unsuccessful search for missing sailor, Satini Lakepa (Junior). However, Navy Commander Captain (Navy) Humphrey Tawake said on Monday the Fiji Navy search and rescue unit was still monitoring the Kadavu and Beqa waters.
He said the return of the Kula did not mean that the search had been called off. “The search can only be called off by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence,” he said.
He said the Police too, was also carrying out its search. Police spokesperson Jokatama Toga said they were still on the alert and had called on members of the public, especially to people in Beqa and Kadavu to report anything they see pertaining to the missing sailor.
When the Fiji Sun visited young Lakepa’s home at Bureta Street, Samabula, last Friday his parents, Satini Lakepa (Senior) and mother Milika Lakepa, said they were optimistic that their son was still alive.
Mrs Lakepa said they had faith that he was alive and safe.
They were struggling to accept the fact that their son, 25, was missing at sea. Mr Lakepa (Junior) was a crew member on board the vessel Tahiti Nui II, which is owned by the Kokomo Island Resort on Yaukuve Levu, Kadavu.
The ship’s captain, Sairusi Cavalaba, reported Mr Lakepa’s absence from the crew at Totogo Police Station, Suva, on March 27, after a trip to Kadavu.