A SEARCH and drifting simulation are underway for a passenger who fell overboard the MV Fair Lady on Tuesday night.
Reports reaching Solomon Star have it that the passenger was travelling with his father and brother from Gizo. He was noticed missing when they reached the Visale area.
The Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) confirmed they received the information at 1pm and immediately took action.
Director, Thiery Nervale said they are running a drifting simulation and search on the area but the weather condition is making their task difficult.
“I confirm we received the information today at 1pm and immediately took action as distress. The information is about a missing person from FAIR LADY who may have fallen overboard during the night.
“We are running our drifting simulation and are doing our best to conduct search in the area. However, the weather conditions are making difficult our response.
“Please note that we are very concerned as the information of the missing person came after 12 hours, which will make the chance of survival significantly reduced, but we hope there is still a chance to locate the person.
“In such weather conditions, passengers must remain in spaces dedicated to passengers on board vessels and not stay outside.
“Any doubt about a person must be reported immediately to MRCC at 977.
“Crews on board must patrol on board and ensure passengers do the right thing and remain in protected areas from weather and sea conditions,” Mr Nervale said.
An initial report about incident said that the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has been alerted and they have sent out rescue officers to try to recover the missing person.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
