Papua New Guinea has seen at least four boat mishaps in the last two weeks that ended in tragedy. The worst incident saw the death of 27 people in East New Britain. 13 bodies have since been recovered while 14 others remain missing at sea.
Following these boat tragedies, Morobe police have issued strong warnings to all Small Craft Operators in the Province to observe Maritime Safety and not travel when there are strong wind warnings.
Morobe Police Commander Chief Superintendent, Samson Siguyaru states that police in Lae received reports of a father and daughter drowning at Quambu Point at Sialum Station, after their boat capsized last Thursday 23rd July.
Police reports confirmed that a family of five were travelling in a small craft during rough sea conditions and the boat capsized. The father and his eldest daughter lost their lives, and their bodies are now at the Butaweng Mortuary.
Siguyaru says police are also questioning crew members of a separate boat incident, where a mother had survived while two young children remain missing at sea.
“The skipper and his two crew members have been identified, and police investigations are underway,” says Siguyaru.
Siguyaru states that these incidents serve as a serious reminder to all small craft operators that warnings issued by the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) and other lawful authorities must be obeyed.
However, despite repeated weather warnings, some operators continue to ignore these directives, placing the lives of passengers at unacceptable risk.
Last week, two separate boat incidents were reported in Madang and Milne Bay Provinces. In Madang, a tugboat rescued passengers who were drifting at sea for over 24 hours before they were rescued last Saturday (July 25). A child and two elderly women were onboard that sinking boat when they were spotted at 7am last Saturday.
In Milne Bay, four people have been reported dead and at least three others still missing when a boat carrying passengers heading towards Vogel Point capsized due to strong winds and heavy currents.
With the lack of awareness and risk the boat operators are taking to travel in these weather conditions, police are now cautioning passengers and boat operators to follow restrictions put out by the National Maritime Safety Authority.
In Morobe, police are now directing all small craft operators throughout the province to strictly comply with all NMSA safety advisories, weather warnings, and lawful directions issued by police and other authorized agencies. Operators who disregard these warnings and continue to operate in unsafe conditions will face police action.
“Police officers throughout the Morobe Province have been instructed to stop, inspect, and, where sufficient evidence exists, arrest operators who deliberately violate maritime safety requirements or lawful police directions,” says Siguyaru.
The PPC says operators would be liable for prosecution under applicable Papua New Guinea laws, including:
- The National Maritime Safety Authority Act 2003 and regulations made under that Act, for breaches of maritime safety requirements.
- The Merchant Shipping Act 1975 (as amended), where offences relate to the unsafe operation of vessels or conduct endangering life at sea.
- Relevant provisions of the Criminal Code Act, where negligent or reckless conduct results in death, serious injury, or danger to human life.
The PPC says the police would work closely with the National Maritime Safety Authority to ensure offenders are investigated and prosecuted where appropriate. He states that the loss of innocent lives due to reckless disregard of safety warnings is preventable. No operator should place profit or convenience above the safety of passengers.
The PPC says the Morobe Provincial Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and continues to support search efforts for the two missing children in the boat incident in Morobe.