BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 07.2018 - LAW enforcement agencies across St. Kitts and Nevis are currently searching for two fishermen who are said to be lost at sea.
Vernon Pemberton of New Road and Hayden Langley of Buckleys, who have been reported as missing, were last seen on Sunday, June 03.The missing person’s report was made on Tuesday morning.
A statement issued by police today (June 07) said that a joint security search and rescue operation is currently being conducted in partnership with the relevant government departments for two men believed to be lost at sea.
According to reports made to the police force, Pemberton was last seen by members of his family on Sunday, after he had indicated that he was heading out to sea to fish with Langley.
“Enquiries by the investigators have revealed that Pemberton’s co-workers notified the Fisheries Department that he did not show up for work after leaving for a fishing excursion on the weekend. Both the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the Fisheries Department notified the St. Kitts-Nevis Coast Guard of the situation. The Fisheries Department also handed over items identified as those of Vernon Pemberton that were found at sea by another fisherman, police said.
An operation has since been launched by the Coast Guard for the missing men. It was revealed that on Tuesday (June 4), a day-long search exercise was carried out in three search operations: one south of Nevis; and two near Redonda down to the St. Eustatius channel.
Coast Guard officials have also asked for assistance from within the region.
“As a result of that request, two fly-over searches were done by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre based in Martinique. The neighbouring Dutch islands have also planned fly-over exercises for this week. Notification of the situation was sent to the Department of Maritime Affairs as well. That entity has asked vessels passing through the identified areas to look out for debris, a submerged vessel of persons in distress. If anything is found in relation to the case, they have been asked to report it immediately,”the statement read..
Police are continuing with their probe into the matter. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these two men is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at the Basseterre Police Station by dialing 465-2241 or their nearest Police Station.
