Cop missing after boat capsized

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
A police officer went missing after a boat carrying at least 15 passengers encountered rough seas at a Gulf river-mouth on Wednesday.
Provincial police commander Silva Sika confirmed that a seven-metre dinghy powered by a 40hp engine was ferrying passengers from Ihu to Kerema when it encountered problems at about 9am.
“We are still searching for our officer, Senior Constable Jeffery Jack, who went missing at the mouth of Vailala River in the Ihu district when a wave breaker hit the dinghy and swept him overboard,” he said.
Sika said because the boat was heavily loaded, the operator, Maki Hauhava, decided to first take other the passengers ashore the returned to search for Jack with some men.
He said they did not find anything so they went back and alerted the communit-based police in a nearby village who then assisted with the search.
“I have also sent more men with fuel and other logistic support and resources to search for the officer,” Sika said.
He said police officers were now camped at the incident area and were still looking.
Sika said the officer was in charge of the rural police station at Ihu district.
“He was on board to go to Kerema to carry out some of his duties when the incident happened,” he said.
Sika urged nearby villagers to help in the search.
“I have also notified other authorities like the National Maritime Safety Authority in the province.”
Meanwhile, Sika has urged fishermen and seafarers in the area to take care because of strong winds and big waves.