RFMF Naval division finds missing fibreglass boat submerged, 7 and engine missing
The missing fibreglass boat that left Levuka on Wednesday en route to Nawaikama Village in Gau was found yesterday.
Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Navy Commander, Captain (Navy) Humphrey Tawake confirmed that the boat was found without its seven occupants and outboard engine. The missing seven are all male, aged between 21 to 46.
“We are hoping for survivors, God willing,” Captain (Navy) Tawake said.
He also said the yellow fibreglass boat was spotted at 4pm yesterday during an aerial search.
“It was floating, but underwater in the Bau waters, between Moturiki and Naloto, Verata. The orange colour of the interior of boat and the outer yellow colour was spotted easily by the aerial searchers.” Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was at the Fiji Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre at the Stanley Brown Navy Base, Walu Bay, last night. There he was briefed on the latest updates following the RFMF Naval search and rescue flight team discovery. He was also updated on the latest weather situation.
Early yesterday morning the RFNS Kikau had departed Suva to assist with the search and rescue operations. A navy search and rescue flight team and another search and rescue maritime asset from Gau also assisted.
On Wednesday morning (December 26) the Fiji Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre were informed by Police Command Control Centre (PCCC) regarding the overdue yellow fibreglass boat that left Levuka for Nawaikama Village in Gau.
The boat had left Levuka at around 9am on Wednesday morning, but failed to reach its destination. Captain (Navy) Tawake is urging mariners to respect the forecast from the weather office.
“Avoid going out to sea at this time with a trough of low pressure affecting the Fiji group.
“If you do, go prepared with life jackets and with fully charged phones for ease of communication in cases of distress,” he said. The search continues today for the missing seven occupants.