5 rescued at sea
The Okeky Fishing Agency over the weekend rescued five Sierra Leonean fishermen from drowning at sea after their wooden carved canoe drifted for days. (Photo: vessel Captain Mr. Chao with the rescued men)
The local fishermen left the Tombo wharf on a voyage to the high sea for fishing for three days, upon their return they were caught up in rough weather when the outboard motor gave-up.
The five man crew on the canoe got stranded for three days and was drifted out by heavy waves and the canoe started to leak from the bottom seriously.
It was under these circumstances that an Okeky fishing vessel Yuan Yu 703 at position 07:49/13:22 was caught from a distance by the fishing crew and they started shouting for rescue of their lives.
The vessel was steaming for about two hundred meters away from them when the captain of the vessel Mr. Chao was told to check out for them for rescue mission.
Upon arrival at the scene according to an eye witness report Dennis M Baimba said the canoe had already giving up almost filled with water, the five man crew was hastily rescued with their outboard motor, but the wooden carved canoe was left to drown.
Okeky vessel crew provided them with food and water and later handed them over to the Sierra Leone Navy for action. The five rescued crew members are Ibrahim Kamara, Mohamed Kamara, Sorie Bangura, Alhaji Kamara and Themu Kamara.
Dong Xiang one of the managers of the Okeky Agency company
According to Mr. Dong Xiang one of the managers of the Okeky Agency company, it has become a normal yearly phenomenon for rescue operation at sea particularly at this time of the season.
He said most of the wooden carved boats are not sea worthy and that they do not have the necessary logistics at seas like GPS, and communication sets in the advent of any sea accident.
Mr. Dong called on the Sierra Leone Navy wing and the Maritime Administration to collaborate with fishing vessels for rescue missions, stating that the company has over 10 vessels in the country and assured the people and the government of Sierra Leone of their continued support.
The General Manager of Okeky Agencies Limited Ephrain Ayim in an interview with our reporter said that “we rescue fishermen almost every year and we, fill committed and determined to save more lives at sea.” He cautioned fishermen not to risk their lives at sea.
Saidu Bah
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.
