The multi-agency team searching for Montserrat fire officer John Lee has discovered a fuel tank from his boat off the coast of Redonda.
Commissioner of Police Mark Payne said “it is not good news”, but insisted that everyone is doing “absolutely everything that we can” and he remains hopeful that the missing man will be found.
Lee, an experienced fisherman, 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 the island later that day, but has not been seen since.
Lee’s last location was detected as 20 degrees off Garibaldi Hill, to the south of the island, and his phone was last active at 1.30pm on the day he went missing.
The Royal Montserrat Police Service has been conducting an extensive daylight search of land and sea on the Heliconia Star police vessel ever since.
It has 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 is coordinating mission, and has enlisted the help of the St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua coast guards.
Tank found
During an interview with ZJB Radio on Saturday, 31 August, Commissioner Payne said the fact the tank has been found is a worrying sign, but it will not deter the search team.
“We don’t know the circumstances the tank came to be in the water, but, you know, it’s not good news that a tank off the boat is no longer with the boat,” he said.
“That could indicate that the boat has got into difficulties, it could indicate that the boat has sunk, obviously, and the tank has floated up.
“But, you know, we are still optimistic. We are still working to try and do everything we can to find the boat and find Mr Lee.”
He said finding the fuel tank off Redonda provides the team with clues about where Lee’s boat may have been.
“We’ve undertaken extensive searches based on on that,” he said.
Redonda, an uninhabited dependency of Antigua and Barbuda, is only a mile long by 0.3 miles wide and is located 14 miles northwest of Montserrat, its closest neighbouring island.
No contact
Payne said aside from the tank finding, the search team has no more information on the location of Lee, aged 49, or what happened.
“We are still hoping and praying that we can find him in in good health,” he said. “Clearly, he’ll be dehydrated, but we are we are hoping that we can find him and bring him back healthy.
“If not, we are hoping that we can find him and give some solace and peace to his family.
“We are doing every single thing that we can. We’re very grateful for the support we’ve had from the whole community. Everywhere we go, people are asking us for updates.”
The police chief said that every hour and day that passes, survival becomes more difficult for Lee, who is diabetic, but stressed that he is a very experienced fisherman.
“He understands the ocean, and he understands how to keep himself safe. He’s also an experienced fire officer, so understands the body and the need to keep himself hydrated etc.”
Public help
Payne said anyone who is wishing to help with the search should contact Inspector Courtney Rodney from the Marine Unit.
“We have had lots of help from friends in the in the fishing fleet and so on and so forth,” he said.
“What I would say, though, is it’s really important that we do this in a coordinated way. What we don’t want is anybody else placing themselves at risk.
“I know that the fishing community are very, very experienced, but much better for us to have a coordinated approach.”
Police also extended the call again to anyone who may have information on Lee or the boat to get in touch.
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.
