Boat operator questioned

POLICE on Manus are questioning a boat operator after a 23-year-old man he was travelling with has been reported missing at sea.
Police have identified the missing person as Bobby Pukel from Tong Island in the Rapatona local level government.
Provincial police commander Chief Insp David Yapu said Pukel was travelling back to Tong Island with another person after Independence Day celebrations in Lorengau town.
“They departed Lorengau town at 1pm, heading back to Tong Island,” he said.
“Both were allegedly drunk while travelling at sea.
“When they were a distance away from Tong Island, Pukel fell off the boat.
“The villagers raised the alarm and searched for him for five days.”
Chief Insp Yapu said police were investigating the incident.
“The boat operator who was with the missing person at that time is now being questioned by police,” he said.
He warned boat operators and passengers not to drink alcohol while travelling at sea.
He said it was a criminal offence under the Small Craft Act for the operator of a small craft to operate it while under the influence of alcohol, or to allow passengers to drink on a boat.