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By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
AUTHORITIES in Milne Bay province are concerned that pirates were
roaming the waters of the coastal province attacking people and stealing
their goods.
This followed an attack on a boat early this week, whose skipper is
still missing.
The captain is believed to have jmped overboard while the crew was
hospitalised after pirates boarded their boat and robbed them near
Fergusson Island in Milne Bay province on Tuesday night.
Milne Bay provincial disaster officer Eric Balaria said the crew of mv
Nosy sustained injuries from sharp objects and were receiving medical
treatment at the Alotau hospital.
Mr Balaria said the captain jumped overboard near Valeta point at about
11pm and a search party put out on Wednesday failed to locate him.
Mr Balaria said the 28ft work boat, owned by Brian Giuda, with
passengers and cargoes was headed for Alotau after leaving Mabawoia
station in the Esa’ala district.
He said the boat was intercepted by pirates who were using a speed boat,
about 5km from the station.
A confrontation led to the crew being injured and the captain jumping
into the sea.
Mr Balaria said the injured crew and the passengers were able to bring
the boat back to Mabawoia station, where another mv Pomio Queen took
them to Alotau.
Mr Balaria said that piracy was a problem in Milne Bay waters but police
do not have the resources and funds to combat it.
“This is the third piracy incident this year,” he said.
 
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