Three men from Marou Bay, in the Arosi two area of West Makira in the Makira Ulawa Province have been found safe and sound after they have gone out on a fishing trip and could not make it back to Makira Island on 21 August 2018.
Supervising Provincial Police Commander Makira Ulawa Province, Inspector Jerry Muaki says, “The three men left their village on the same date (21 August) on a fishing trip and became lost due to dark clouds covering Makira Island.”
He adds, “After some attempts to locate the Island, they realised that they have missed Makira Island. And it was not until late in the afternoon that they saw land and knew that they can make it to Guadalcanal and landed safely at O’a Village, in the Marau area, East Guadalcanal.”
PPC Muaki says, “They were looked after by the community and on the next day (22 August) they were assisted to Marau Police Station."
“Following arrangements coordinated Marau and Kirakira police and the Anolpha Shipping Company, the trio has been successfully repatriated to their home village,” says PPC Muaki.
He adds, “I wish to thank all stake holders involved, including O’a community for receiving the men and the Management of Anolpha Shipping Company for diverting the ship to pick the three men. This is a very good positive sign of community partnership with the police.”
“I would once again appeal to all my good people in Makira Ulawa Province to always check the weather forecast issued by the Met Service on SIBC for information, as the weather can change at any time. As we all know any search and rescue operation is a very expensive excise to undertake,” says PPC Muaki.