Nine people reported to have been missing at sea in East New Britain waters, Papua New Guinea (PNG) have reportedly been rescued by a fishing vessel. PNG’s local paper the Post Courier reported that the National Maritime Safety Authority had confirmed that fifteen people had been rescued by a fishing boat. The number included four children aged between two and twelve years old.
The boat was first reported missing when a distress call was made by passengers on the boat to relatives on land on Monday, January 20. Apparently, the boat had run out of fuel and was carried out to sea by local currents.
Small vessel owners and operated are being reminded to practice safety first at sea and not to travel out to sea given the current weather conditions.
