Mariners are urged to continue to to keep an eye out for a small fishing boat with three people onboard that went missing from Antigua last weekend.
The 30-foot fishing boat (pictured) named ‘Moya’ is a grey colour with a white wheelhouse, a 250 horsepower Isuzu inboard engine and the registration number V2-547 PW.
Mathias Greenaway, who was captaining the vessel, along with Glenmore Matthew and Clancy Samuel left Market Wharf at about 1pm on Friday, 21 February.
They intended to fish between Antigua and Barbuda and were expected to return by 8am on Saturday, 22 February. However, they have not been seen since.
Upon receiving the report, the Antigua Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) Coast Guard escalated the situation to the distress phase, a press release from the force said on 25 February.
A PAN-PAN message – a marine broadcast used in times of urgency – was immediately aired in a cyclical pattern over VHF Channel 16 to alert mariners operating in the general search area.
Vessels from the ABDF Coast Guard, St Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard are conducting the sea search.
Searching by air are the ABDF Air Wing and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Fort-de-France.
“Sea conditions to date have remained unfavourable, with a high surf advisory in effect for Antigua and Barbuda over the weekend,” the press release said.
“Despite these challenging conditions, the ABDF and its partners remain fully committed to locating FV MOYA and safely returning her crew to port.”
Anyone with information can contact the acting executive officer, Lieutenant (Naval) Trish Lake on (268) 729-5802, or the Coast Guard hotline on (268) 462-3206 or 462-2841/2/3.
“We assure the public that every available resource is being utilised to ensure the safe return of these mariners to their families,” the press release said.
The ABDF Coast Guard and Air Wing Unit met with the families and friends of the missing men earlier today. Watch the meeting below:
