Solomon Islands Authorities to probe tragedy

Solomon Islands Marine authorities will hold a de-briefing into the tragic death of three men whose bodies were washed ashore on the coast of west Are’are, Malaita, on New Year’s Eve, the Solomon Star reports.

Director of Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) Tim Harris said the debriefing will be held tomorrow in light of complaints from relatives on how the Search and Rescue Unit responded to their call for help.

The three deceased – a respected Anglican priest from Isabel, his son, and their friend from Malaita – were heading to Honiara from Isabel last Monday on an outboard motor boat when their engine broke down near Gela, Central Province.

The priest, Fr Bako, reportedly called his daughter using his mobile phone and informed her of the engine problem and their location.

He also told her daughter to contact Search and Rescue.

The daughter reportedly called Search and Rescue Monday evening, but no search was conducted until the next day.

Harris told the Sunday Star yesterday Search and Rescue was informed of the incident 4pm Monday.

“Search and Rescue sought support from RAMSI for the use of their helicopter but it was a bit late at that time,” he said.

“Also, you don’t rush into search and rescue operation when you receive information; you have to develop a search plan first,” Harris explained.

Furthermore, Harris said SIMSA is no longer a Marine Division, so when incidents like this arises, they just have to coordinate vessels to involve in the search.

He said during the time of the bad weather, which was after Christmas and before New Year, not many vessels were available because they’ve travelled out to the islands.

“This is why we found it hard to coordinate vessels to help in the search and rescue when this particular incident was reported to us.

“We don’t have enough resources like ships at our disposal to carry out search and rescue operations.”

Villagers of Hauhui in west Are’area found the bodies washed up on their coast on Thursday morning – just two days after the trio encountered the engine problem at Gela.

Police in Auki picked up the bodies and later brought them over to Honiara.  

Solomon Star s