JDF intensifies search for 11 fishermen
Published:Saturday | July 6, 2024 | 12:06 AM
Up to late yesterday, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was conducting a search and rescue operation to find 11 fishermen who have been reported missing since Tuesday, July 2.
The Maritime Air and Cyber Command (MACC) of the JDF conducted the operation.
The JDF is reporting that the fishermen left the Cow Bay area in St Andrew for the Morant Cays in three canoe-type vessels on Saturday, June 29 and were expected to return on Tuesday.
When the vessels and fishermen failed to arrive and efforts to reach them proved futile, the JDF was contacted yesterday to begin search and rescue operations.
In a news release, the JDF says all its search and rescue assets are now back to full operational status following the passage of Hurricane Beryl. The army has deployed a helicopter from the JDF Air Wing and its offshore patrol vessels from the JDF Coast Guard to locate the missing fishermen.
The JDF is urging all seafarers to be vigilant and report any sightings of the following vessels: a red, white and blue fishing boat named Blessing; a green and burgundy boat named Prayer Warrior; and the third, Prayer Warrior 2.
The army is asking anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these vessels to contact the Maritime Air and Operations Centre at 876-926-8121 extension 4004-6 or 876-836 1216.
The JDF says it remains committed to the safety and security of Jamaicans and will continue to work tirelessly to bring the missing fishermen home.