One dead, nine missing at sea

 By PISAI GUMAR

NINE people remain missing after their banana boat capsized in the Ward Hunt Strait between Alotau and Fergusson Island in Milne Bay last Thursday.

Three swam to safety but the boat operator was found dead by another operator.

Thirteen people, including five children and an Indonesian man, were on board the boat travelling to Alotau from Kalokalo village in Fergusson Island, Esa’ala, when disaster struck.

Manolos Aviation pilot James Kirkwood and medivac nurse Naomi Pamaraka, who were  involved in the search operation, told The National from Alotau that three men managed to swim ashore at Awaiama.

They were treated at Garuahi Health Centre and later taken to the Alotau General Hospital.

Kirkwood and Pamaraka were advised on Sunday and searched between Cape Vogel and East Cape without success.

Pamaraka appealed to coastline communities from Tufi to Popondetta and Morobe to be on the lookout while travelling and report any sighting. 

On Sunday, another dinghy was reported missing.

Manolos Aviation chief executive Captain Jurgen Ruh was concerned about locals not adhering to strong wind warnings and appealed to dinghy operators to be wary of weather situations before travelling.

“It is more appropriate to have life-saving kits on dinghies when travelling,” Ruh said.