A major search and rescue operation is underway after a dinghy carrying eight employees of the National Airports Corporation capsized in East New Britain yesterday.
Director for Disaster and Emergency Services in East New Britain Donald Tokunai, confirmed that three search boats were deployed to locate the missing passengers.
The vessel was traveling from West Coast Namatanai to Tokua when it overturned between West Coast and the Duke of York Islands around 4pm.
It was reported that a dinghy was at the scene but was unable to assist the people as it was loaded to its capacity.
Tokuna said authorities are working with the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) to coordinate the operation, including drift modeling to predict the dinghy’s possible location.
Tokunai also added that they are linking up with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), which will seek the assistance of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) for an aerial search.
