Coast Guard – By Latrishka Thomas
Coast Guard Suspends Search
The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) Coast Guard has suspended its active search for three fishermen who have been missing for nearly two weeks, saying there is no new information to indicate where the search should continue.
The missing men have been identified as Rowel Martin, Gregory Questelles and Cleofoster Jarvis. They were last seen leaving Point Wharf aboard the fishing vessel Lady Madesha on July 16 and were expected to return on July 18.
Acting Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Captain Vaughn Simon said officials met with the men’s families earlier this week “to give them an update and to inform them that we were going to suspend the active search for their family members, because we did not have any new information to determine a location where they might be, or what might have happened.” He added that police are also investigating the matter.
The report of the missing vessel was received on July 20, prompting the immediate launch of search-and-rescue operations. The Coast Guard requested assistance from regional partners, including the St Kitts Coast Guard, while the Antigua and Barbuda Search and Rescue team also supported the operation. The matter was also reported to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Martinique.
Rowel Martin’s sister, Sandra Martin, said the family has grown increasingly frustrated as the search has continued without answers.
Martin said a bucket belonging to her brother, containing his mobile phone and food, was later found on a beach in English Harbour and handed over to police. She said the discovery should prompt searchers to focus more attention in that area.
Simon confirmed the bucket is in police custody and is being investigated.
Martin also claimed that the search had been hampered because the wife of another fisherman had not disclosed where the men had planned to fish.
“She not telling us the truth where they go fishing… she know everything,” Martin said.
Despite her frustration over the lack of information, Martin said she remains grateful for the efforts of the Coast Guard.
“I thank everybody that go out and search for him,” she said. “The Coast Guard, they do them best. [You] think it’s easy to go out there every day and search?”
The Coast Guard said the search could resume if investigators receive credible new information about the men’s last known location.
