SSP Khan: Practise safety as surge in missing at sea takes toll

Police director operations Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Khan is calling on people to priotise their safety especially at sea if weather or engine issues were likely threats.

The call comes after 11 people were, last week alone reported missing and thanks to co-ordinated efforts they were rescued.

“We are urging members of the public to prioritise their safety and put plans of travelling on hold if the weather is likely to be a threat to their safety,” SSP Khan said. “With the festive season upon us, inter-island movement will be on the rise with some opting to travel via small boats, which is why operators must comply with all the necessary maritime safety regulations.

“Attempts to travel during times of unfavourable weather must never be entertained as you are not only risking your life and that of your passengers, but members of the search parties that are activated upon receipt of such reports.”

The latest report of such incidents was when five people were rescued after going missing at sea on Friday morning. They were rescued later in the evening.

The five people were onboard a fibreglass boat. They had left Naviti for Lautoka but encountered engine problems.

The RFMF Navy division with the Fiji Maritime Surveillance and Rescue Co-ordination Centre (FMSRCC) activated a search and started the co-ordination with villages, hotels and other stakeholders.

It is understood that a search team from Vomo Island Resort initially attended to the rescue and within the vicinity.

A fibreglass boat from Yasawa Primary School also assisted in the search, picked up the stranded victims and dropped them off at Lautoka.