The search and rescue operation for Montserrat fire officer John Lee will be scaled back from Wednesday, 4 September – a week after he went missing during a solo fishing trip.
Speaking during a daily update to ZJB Radio on Tuesday, 3 September, Commissioner of Police Mark Payne said there have been no sightings of Lee or further information on where he may be.
“The reality is that after after a week searching, we are probably in recovery phase rather than life saving phase,” he said.
“But we hope and pray, obviously, that is not the case, and we will continue to do everything that we can.”
An extensive search
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.
Throughout the week, the Royal Montserrat Police Service has been searching the seas on the Heliconia Star police vessel.
Officers have received support from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory with its helicopter, the Disaster Management Coordination Agency and the Montserrat Fire and Rescue Service.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre based in Martinique has been coordinating operation, and enlisted the help of the St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua coast guards.
The only clue as to the whereabouts of Lee came when the multi-agency team found a fuel tank from his boat off the coast of Redonda.
“Sadly, beyond that, we have not had any further sightings, any further information in terms of where John might be, or where John might might have gone,” Payne said.
Scaling back
The police chief explained that search operations will continue locally on the police vessel, and there are plans to use a drone to examine difficult to access coastal areas.
He added that police will still be following up every lead they get and will continue to work with the neighbouring islands.
However, he said that a week into the search “sadly, we are now, I think, after today, going to be scaling back some of our searching, certainly on the ocean, into the wide ocean”.
Payne thanked “every single person” and organisation that has supported the search mission so far, and urged anyone who wants to assist or has information to get in touch.
“We will continue to do everything we can to bring John home for his family and to give them the closure that I know they will be they’ll be looking for,” he said.
Lessons learned
Payne said that one thing that should be taken away from this is that it is important for those going out on boats to follow the safety advice.
“Have a beacon with you, have a flare with you, make sure that people know where you’re going, try and go out, not by yourself so if you do have a medical [emergency], there’s somebody that can can help you.
“Make sure your boat is as seaworthy as you can, make sure you have a life raft – all the basics that I know our fisher colleagues and the sailing community of the island will know.
“But there’s never an opportunity to be complacent about it. You must make sure you do everything you can to keep yourselves safe.”
Closure needed
Acting Chief Fire Officer Vachel Murrain said it has been a very difficult week for Lee’s colleagues at the Montserrat Fire and Rescue Service.
“It’s not going to be anything easy for us. It’s a very hard pill to swallow, and so the emotions are flying high. Colleagues, officers, you know, they are just anticipating what’s next,” he said.
“We want closure, and that’s why we’re out here, trying to do everything in our power to explore all the options given to us, basically in terms of search, not just us, but the family as well.”
Murrain added that the search team will be exploring every option possible to get some closure for Lee’s loved ones.
“With this weather front coming in, we’re hoping that we’ll have something that comes up on the shore,” he said.
“Anything that will bring closure, whether it’s parts of the vessel, if it’s been dismantled, or anything whatsoever, any clues.”
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.
Watch the interview in full below:
https://www.facebook.com/MNISpirit/videos/526992836412514
