The Royal Montserrat Police Service is asking for the public’s help to locate fire officer John Lee who has been missing at sea since Wednesday morning.
Lee set out alone on a white 30 foot fishing vessel, named the MV Optimum, at about 6.30am on 28 August.
He was expected back to shore later that day, but he has not yet returned.
Commissioner of Police Mark Payne told ZJB Radio on 29 August that Lee is a diabetic, so it is possible that he might be incapacitated somewhere.
Officers have been out since about 9pm on the Heliconia Star police vessel searching for Lee and have done “a visual inspection of every single beach or inlet of the island”, he said.
He added that sea conditions are currently good, and said: “We hope that we’ll be able to find him and bring him back safe and sound.”
As part of the search mission, the police service has been working with the Coast Guard of St Kitts and Antigua through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.
In addition, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory are assisting with their helicopter and Flow is providing updates on his telephone location, Payne said.
Public support
The police chief has asked for the public’s help in terms of any sightings of Lee or any other information.
“The reason for the radio message is just to see if there’s anybody in the community who might have information that could help in this search. We would really like it as soon as possible,” he said.
“And if anybody has seen Mr Lee, or during the course of the day to day, does see Mr Lee…we can direct the search appropriately, or get him to the appropriate medical facility.”
He added that if anyone sees a boat floating offshore, or anybody sees a boat on any net or on a beach to contact police straight away.
“We’d much rather have false reports we can check out, than somebody had information that is not made available to us.
“So please, we’re asking for the public’s support – any sightings or any relevant information, please contact the police straightaway.”
Rapid shutdown
Acting Chief Fire Officer Vachel Murrain, also speaking to ZJB Radio, said fisherman Lee’s last location was 20 degrees off Garibaldi Hill to the south coast of the island.
He said his phone appeared to have had a “rapid shutdown” so the search teams are not in any communication with the missing man.
Payne explained that Lee’s phone was last active at 1.30pm on Wednesday which may mean it ran out of energy or slipped overboard.
“We don’t know, but what we are clear on is the phone is not active at the minute, so that’s the best that we have to go on.”
Murrain concluded: “We continue to pray for his safe recovery, and I also want to solicit the public’s support as well in helping us to pray that he’s recovered safely.
“Any information whatsoever, we’re available. We will continue the search. The search will not discontinue. We’ll continue the search throughout the day.”
The Royal Montserrat Police Service can be reached at (664) 491-2555 and the Montserrat Fire and Rescue Service can be reached at (664) 491-7790.
