By Our Correspondent
BRASS, Bayelsa State — Two fishermen have been declared missing after their boat capsized off the Atlantic coastline in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, prompting a frantic search by members of Opu-Okumbiri and neighbouring coastal communities.
The victims were identified as Elder Sunday Sample Timothy and his assistant, Mr. Avarada, who reportedly left for their routine fishing expedition in the early hours of Friday.
According to a community leader, Chief Saturday Akimi-Omunhuo, the two fishermen departed at about 1:00 a.m. to fish in the Atlantic Ocean when the outboard engine of their boat developed a mechanical fault while they were far out at sea.
He explained that another boat came to their rescue and towed the faulty vessel toward the continental shelf and the Atlantic coastline. However, as they approached the shore, strong waves reportedly overwhelmed the damaged boat, causing it to capsize.
Chief Akimi-Omunhuo said the rescue boat and its occupants made it safely to shore, but Elder Timothy and Mr. Avarada were swept away by the turbulent waters and have remained missing.
He added that community rescue teams immediately commenced a search operation along the coastline and surrounding waters. Although the fishermen’s fishing gear was later recovered, there has been no sign of the missing men.
“The entire Opu-Okumbiri coastal communities are in deep mourning,” Chief Akimi-Omunhuo said. “We are still searching for our brothers. Unfortunately, this is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred. We lose fishermen to the sea almost every year.”
He appealed to the Brass Local Government Council, the Bayelsa State Government, the Federal Government, and relevant humanitarian organisations to provide greater support for fishing communities.
According to him, the provision of life jackets, improved marine safety equipment, emergency rescue services, weather forecasting and early warning systems would help reduce the recurring loss of lives at sea.
“Our people depend entirely on fishing for their livelihood,” he said. “Every year we lose fathers, sons and breadwinners to the sea. We urgently need government intervention to improve safety for those who earn a living on the waterways.”
As of the time of filing this report, the search for the two missing fishermen was still ongoing, with family members and residents hoping they would be found.
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