The search and rescue mission in East New Britain has yielded a crucial lead with the deployment of a Manalos Aviation helicopter from Lae.
Operating with two spotters aboard, the helicopter crew successfully located a capsized banana boat floating toward Kolube Kona off the coast of Namatanai in the New Ireland Province just after 11:00 AM yesterday. Despite this discovery, there remains no sign of the missing travelers.
Incident Timeline and Initial Response
East New Britain Disaster Committee Chairman Levi Mano met with families of the missing to provide an update on the search efforts. According to Mano, authorities learned on Saturday at approximately 4:45 PM that the victims encountered disaster while traveling from Pidgeon Island back to Pangpang Paradise Island.
A statement issued by the East New Britain Provincial Administration confirmed that an immediate local search was initiated by a Ward Member in the Duke of York Islands. However, those initial efforts were severely hampered by rough seas and strong winds, low visibility and a lack of initial sightings
The Survivors’ Ordeal
The two boat skippers are currently the only known survivors of the incident. Authorities reported that the men managed to swim an incredible 16 kilometers from the site of the capsized vessel before being rescued at Baii Village in the Kombiu LLG of Rabaul District.
Locals reported that both men used a container and a pallet to keep afloat for at least five hours.
The provincial government’s statement confirmed that the survivors swam ashore to Baii Village to raise the alarm. At 5:00 AM on Sunday, July 19, 2026, police retrieved the men and transported them to Kokopo Police Station for interviews to aid the ongoing response. Both skippers remain in police custody, assisting authorities with information to support the search operation.
Shift from Rescue to Recovery
East New Britain Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Amanda Kates, has held multiple briefings with local families at the Kokopo Wharf to share updates.
Kates delivered a somber assessment to the families, stating that the operation has transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery mission.
“What that means is we are looking for deceased, and I want to put that very plainly that it has been two days and it is looking grim,” said Kates.
Initial marine searches launched Sunday morning by disaster and police authorities, utilizing two police boats, the PPC Manning and an RPNGC 90-horsepower vessel, had to be called off due to hazardous conditions, including very strong winds and severe sea swells.
Despite these setbacks, Chief Superintendent Kates emphasized a unified multi-agency front from the National Disaster Centre, National Maritime Safety Authority, RPNGC and local corporate partners
The search operation continues today.
