3 missing after boat capsizes in open sea

THREE people are missing after their boat capsized in rough seas while travelling over the open sea instead of the “inside” waters of Morobe last week.
The only one who reportedly survived was a boy who used a fuel container to hang onto.
The incident took place outside the Morobe Patrol Post in Huon Gulf last Tuesday, according to police.
Provincial police commander Superintendent Jacob Singura said the boat left a location in Northern with bags of betel nuts and was heading into Lae when it capsized with three men and a boy on board.
Police alleged that at the time of the incident, the skipper, his crew and the other man (owner of the betel nuts) were all drunk.
“They had a brief stopover at Payawa village near Morobe Post and then they continued their journey but were not taking the inside route, instead they took the open sea route to Lae when the incident happened,” Supt Singura said.
He said while out in the open sea, the boat crew demanded to take control of the engine when he accidently lost control and the boat spun around, leading to water rushing in from the stern which sank the boat.
The boy, he said, knowing that the three men were drunk and he would risk his life if he tried to rescue them, used a fuel container to swim.