The Royal Solomon Island Police Vessel (RSIPV) GIZO O5 joined the search for two missing male people from an OutBoard Motor (OBM) in Western Province on Friday 3 September 2021.
Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says, “The patrol boat Gizo departed to assist the search rescue on 7 September 2021 after the Commander received information from a situation report that a boat went missing in the Western Province.”
Initial report said that the 23 feet Yamaha ray boat powered by a 60-horsepower engine was onboard by two adult male and was travelling from Mono in the Short lands on a route through Vella la Vella Island and Gizo to Noro. Unfortunately, the boat failed to arrive at Noro.
Commissioner Mangau says, “Police at Gizo reported the incident to Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and police at the Kariki Police Post were informed on the same date. Due to bad weather, there was no search conducted around the area.”
Mr Mangau says, “Only local OBMs did search but within the safe areas where they did not experience rough sea but no confirmation of the missing boat was sighted. RSIPV Gizo encountered bad weather at sea with strong winds so they withdrew and proceeded to a safe place.”
MRCC continues to broadcast to all ships and fishing vessels around the search area to assist if they see any boat.
-RSIPF Press