Dolores 737 while searching for fish last 16 March 2016 at position 04’25.785S 160’26.995 spotted and rescued three fishermen from Betio Village , Republic of Kiribati , namely: Barai Motete (30 years old), Kabunare Rui (24 years old), and Kaaboka Teuaika (27 years old).
Immediately, the officers and crew headed by Master Fisherman Rodolfo Ordialez attended to their needs, which gave them dry clothes, warm food, water and area to rest and recuperate. Upon the initial interview by our Master, the trio were subsistence fishermen at the small Village of Bitio, Tarawa. While they were fishing and navigating in Kiribati Archepelagic Water, the 40HP out board motor on their wooden dingy boat accidentally blew up. They have no means of communicating to ask help and likewise paddle to shore. Due to strong current and wind, they have drifted approximately 150 miles westerly and lost at sea for 36 days.
Government agencies, NGO’s International Organization for Migration and local authorities here, NMSA,NFA, Customs/Immigration, Dept. of Foreign Affairs in POM came to assist and was on reception when the vessel arrived in the port of Vidar last 25 March 2016, to meet and check the welfare of the trio.
RD Fishing PNG granted permission to have the custody and care of the Kiribati nationals. Under the company custody the trio were provided medical, food, accommodation, and clothes while waiting for their repatriation.
Thru the support and in coordination with the Dept. of Immigration PNG, Dept of Foreign Affairs PNG, National Fisheries Authority , PNG Customs , International Organization for Migration , Republic of Kiribati Foreign affairs, the Media and NMSA, the trio were successfully repatriated last 14 April 2016 via Nadi, Fiji and were reunited with their families in Bitio , Tarawa, Kiribati 15 April 2016.
“First of all we thank God for allowing us to survive and have our second life. Without RD Vesel D737, we may not be able to be here with you all. For that, we are forever grateful to RD Fishing Company, for the extensive assistance given to us, and taking good care of us. Again thank you all. May God bless RD Fishing , PNG and IOM who helped us along the way.”- Barai, Kabunare and Kaaboka.
It was indeed an honor for the company to be part of the whole exercise. Government, NGO’s can indeed work together, a proof and lesson to live by.
(Emmanuel V. Pacifico)