Two months after the first sea tragedy, another boat tragedy has struck East New Britain, with a vessel carrying 14 passengers capsizing last Saturday 19th September near Pidgeon Island.
The boat was travelling from Kokopo Beach Front Boat Stop to the Duke of York Islands when it capsized at the same location as the July 18 tragedy.
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East New Britain Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Amanda Kates in a statement said four passengers initially survived, while nine others were later rescued and one body was recovered this morning near Korere Ward, SSM.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary deployed Police Patrol Vessel Manning at 8:40 a.m. yesterday to join the search and rescue operation.
At 10:16 a.m., PPV Manning found two women clinging to rocks at the base of a steep cliff near Tavui Number 3 and brought them aboard.
While transporting the women to Atharm Wharf in Rabaul, the police vessel encountered a banana boat at 11:16 a.m. that had rescued a male adult and two young children.
MV Mira Spirit assisted in transferring the children to PPV Manning after one was found to be in a severely weakened condition.
The two women and two children were taken to Atharm Wharf aboard PPV Manning, while the banana boat transported the male survivor. Disaster staff then transferred all survivors to Nonga General Hospital for medical treatment.
Supt Kates said she was thankful to R & A Marine Services (RAMS) for supporting the crewing and launch of PPV Manning.
She also acknowledged the East New Britain Provincial Government, members of Parliament and RPNGC for donating life jackets and enforcing their use, saying the efforts contributed to saving nine lives.
However, worsening sea conditions forced PPV Manning to suspend its search at about 1:40 p.m., while MV Mira Spirit ceased its search at 2:30 p.m.
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The RPNGC is urging the public to heed warnings from provincial authorities and avoid travelling during unsafe weather and sea conditions.
The search for the remaining missing passengers is expected to continue when conditions improve.