The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Tulagi, in the Central Province have warned boats travelling at sea to be careful to avoid accidents following an incident involving two boats in the Province.
Supervising Provincial Police Commander for Central Province, Inspector Hugo Maelasi says, “My officers are investigating an accident involving two out board motor (OBM) boats alleged to have collided at sea between Bangai Island and Double Island, south of Tulagi Island in Central Province on the night of 1 June 2018.”
He says, “The incident was reported to Tulagi Police Station the same day and my officers attended to it and managed to tow one of the boats which sustained damaged.”
He adds: “It is lucky no passengers in the boats involved in the alleged collision were injured.”
“I appeal to boat owners and skippers to take extra caution when navigating boats at sea to avoid accidents of similar nature,” says Supervising PPC Maelasi.
He adds: “Boat skippers should not be under the influence of alcohol or any drug when in control of a boat.”
Supervising PPC Maelasi says, “The skipper of the second boat is being questioned by police and expected to be served with a summon to attend court on allegation of being under the influence of any intoxicating substance or drugs.”
“It is alleged that prior to the incident the first boat with six people on board was on a fishing trip between the two islands mentioned earlier on; and the second boat with few passengers was alleged to have travelled from Honiara to Tulagi,” says Inspector Maelasi
He adds: “It is further alleged the skipper of the second boat was under the influence of alcohol and the boat was travelling at high speed; and took no notice of flash torch lights from the first boat.”