THE East New Britain Provincial Government has confirmed that search and rescue operations are continuing after two boats carrying East New Britain Provincial Health Authority (ENBPHA) staff, their families and friends capsized near Pigeon Island on Saturday afternoon.
In a statement released by the Chairman of the East New Britain Provincial Disaster Committee Mr Levi Mano, the incident occurred at about 3:00pm on Saturday, July 18, as the group was returning from Pangpang Island in the Duke of York Islands to Kokopo.
A total of 29 people were travelling on the two vessels. The group included four ENBPHA staff members, their families and friends. Two survivors, both skippers of the boats, managed to reach shore, leaving 27 people still unaccounted for.
Mr Mano said the capsized boats were reported at 4:51pm on Saturday, prompting an immediate search coordinated through a Ward Member in the Duke of York Local Level Government area. Initial rescue efforts were hampered by rough seas, strong winds and poor visibility, with no sightings reported during the first search.
At around 9:10pm, the two surviving skippers came ashore at Baii Village in the Kombiu LLG. Police retrieved them early on
Sunday morning and transported them to Kokopo Police Station for interviews as part of the ongoing investigation.
On Sunday, seven search teams, including two police boats and a team led by the Provincial Governor, searched waters stretching from the west coast of New Ireland Province to Point Takis on the East and West New Britain border. However, worsening sea conditions forced the suspension of marine search operations later that afternoon.
The search continued on Monday with aerial support from a helicopter provided by the National Government through the National Disaster Centre (NDC) and the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA).
The helicopter searched the west coast of New Ireland, the north coasts of East and West New Britain, and parts of the south coast in Pomio. During the operation, one of the missing boats was located drifting off Kolube in the Kono area on the west coast of Namatanai, New Ireland Province.
He further said the vessel is expected to be retrieved on Tuesday, July 21, to assist investigators in determining what happened. No bodies were sighted during the aerial search.
The Provincial Disaster Office said search operations remain active and appealed to the public not to circulate rumours or unverified information, particularly on social media, as families continue to await news of their loved ones.
Officials urged relatives and the public to rely only on information released through the Provincial Disaster Centre.
The Provincial Government also reminded all sea travellers to check weather and sea conditions before travelling, wear life jackets, avoid alcohol when operating boats, inform family members of travel plans and carry reliable communication equipment. Residents were also advised to stay clear of trees and power lines because of strong winds associated with current weather conditions.
The East New Britain Provincial Administration acknowledged the efforts of police, disaster officials, national agencies, community leaders, volunteers and search teams involved in the ongoing operation.
“Our thoughts remain with the affected families during this difficult time,” the Disaster Committee Chairman said.
Authorities confirmed the passengers included four families led by Manuel Sialis, Raymond Maramun, Clive Peni and Victor Touran, as well as Dotty Eron, owner of Pangpang Island, and James Noah. The full list of passengers has been released by the Provincial Disaster Office to assist with official identification and family liaison.