Boy missing after diving overboard

Main Stories, National
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The National, Friday 10th Febuary 2012

By GYNNIE KERO
A PASSENGER travelling from Vanimo, West Sepik, to Wewak in East Sepik is missing after jumping off the Lutheran shipping vessel, mv Rita, last Thursday outside Wewak Point.
The passenger, of Sandaun and East Sepik descent, was believed to be travelling to school when he dived overboard.
The ship’s captain, who did not want to be named, said the youth appeared normal and did not seem to be having any problem when he boarded the ship in Vanimo.
He said it was in Aitape that the youth began acting strangely and became violent.
He said crew members and security guards had to tackle him and tie him up.
At 6am, the youth managed to untie the ropes and dived head first into the sea.
The ship changed course to try and rescue the youth but he could not be found.
“For two hours, we stopped the ship and waited but the boy did not surface and I had to bring the other passengers to the wharf,” the captain said.
The incident happened about 1.5 miles from Wewak Point. Because of strong winds, a rescue team could not conduct a search last week.