Sea

The children, their father and three others with bags of betelnut were travelling by boat to Manus, from Karkar, on Friday, September 24^th, at 3am.

Provincial Police Commander, chief inspector David Yapu, said the boat was supposed to arrive at 7pm. When that time lapsed, an alarm was raised and their families started searching for them.

PPC Yapu said he immediately contacted the National Disaster and Emergency Service office in Port Moresby to activate their broadcast calls to vessels travelling in the seas of Vanimo, Wewak, Madang and Kavieng.

Provincial disaster coordinator, Steven Tobesa, said they were travelling from Esa’ala district to Normanby Island when the incident occurred.

The search for the missing person still continues.

Tobesa told this newsroom that Milne Bay is still experiencing heavy rainfall this month.

He has issued a strong warning to locals to take extra precaution when going out to sea.

(Article by Jim John – third year UPNG Journalism student)

Provincial police commander for East New Britain, Joseph Tabali, issued the caution after his men rescued a missing boat between the waters of Namatanai and Duke of York on Sunday, 30^th December, 2018.

All five crew members, including the operator, were rescued with no casualties.

The boat and operator from Namatanai went missing on Saturday where unfortunately, they lost all belongings at sea.

The island of New Britain experienced rough seas and rain since Friday, the 27^th.

They will be conducting tactical exercises outside Fairfax Harbour, Port Moresby, in line with their mission rehearsal exercises.

This morning will see teams perform drills in line with their training.

There are presently three teams out on the water with an observer team on Gemo Island.