WE WILL NOT GIVE UP HOPE; SEARCH CONTINUES BOTH ON AIR AND SEA: ENB PPC KATES

“We will not gived up hope, search and rescue continues both on air and sea.”

These were the assuring words from the East New Britian Provincial Police Commander Ammanda Kates when giving an update on the missing boats carrying families from Pigeon Island while attempting to make the crossing from Pidgen Island to Kokopo in East New Britain on Saturday, 18 July 2026.

PPC Kates describe the tragedy as a heart wrenching and terrible situation for two families ranging from babies to older adults.

She says since the alert was sounded on Saturday, Police and civilian boats have been involved in the search. Rough seas continued to interrupt the search, and helicopters could not be deployed until weather cleared this morning.

All available resources have been brought in to cover this wide area, as of noon today, sea conditions have again interrupted search by boats though helicopters will continue.

The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Authority continues to lead the deployment of search resources in coordination with Police.

“Our efforts will not tire in this search and I thank all who are contributing to finding those who had been in the two boats.”
All of our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities of those who are missing at this at this worrying time;” PPC Kates emphasised.

At 12:11 PM today, Monday 20 July, a helicopter located an overturned boat in the search area close to New Ireland.

This is some distance from where the boats capsized, and there is no indication one way or another in relation to the passengers from this boat. The currents in the area are particularly strong.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority have provided drift analysis that is being used to guide helicopters and boats to follow the direction the current is likely to have carried the missing passengers.

RPNGC personnel from the New Ireland Provincial Police Command are travelling to the location where the upturned boat was spotted.

Meanwhile, the National Maritime safety Authority (NMSA) is warning small boat owners and operators to follow sea safety laws or face arrest and prosecution.

Chief Executive Officer Pawa Limu says the warning follows recent boat incident in East New Britain and New Ireland.

He says boat owners, operators, and passengers must follow the Small Craft Act and take all safety precautions before traveling at sea.

Mr Limu is also reminding people to check the weather, wear life jackets, avoid overloaded boats, and never travel with a skipper who has been drinking alcohol.

He says these simple steps can help save lives.