The Barbuda families of the three fishermen who went missing in early December and who have not since been located, were comforted this week when a team from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard visited the island to meet with them as well as with members of the Barbuda Council.
The ABDF Coast Guard team met with family members of Shalico Charles, Vere Isaac, and Cleon Joseph, the crew onboard F/V GIVE THANKS, which was reported overdue on 1 December 2024.
This comes as the Coast Guard has reported that it has located the wreckage of the vessel at about 50 feet depth of water some 4 nautical miles west of an area called Cedar Tree Point or 9 miles out from River Dock, in an area frequented by Barbuda fishermen.
Brigadier Telbert Benjamin explained that last Friday the Coast Guard was notified by some fishermen who reported seeing what they felt was the wreckage of the vessel, GIVE THANKS during one of their dives. “We sent down our divers with an underwater camera and which picked up video-footage of the vessel that had already been covered in barnacles. When the barnacles were removed we were able to recognize the vessel, its engine and a debris field that indicated that the vessel had been severely damaged before it sunk,” Brigadier Benjamin reported.
According to the ABDF chief there were no signs of human remains and because of this, he indicated that both the police and the Coast Guard are carrying out active investigations so at this time he has declined to comment of what might have happened that caused the vessel to sink and the men to go missing.
The vessel – GIVE THANKS – was discovered with two large holes…one at the front and the other at the bottom towards the rear of the vessel. Given this discovery and the amount of time that has elapsed since the vessel was reported overdue, the Coast Guard has transitioned the operation to a search and recovery mission.
During the meeting in Barbuda held at the Barbuda Council New Millennium Administration Building, Lieutenant Colonel Alando Micheal and Lieutenant Naval Trish Lake shared the latest details of the investigation into the missing vessel.
The Coast Guard is working closely with relevant authorities to salvage the wreck and ensure the proper handling of the items recovered in an effort to further the investigation into the cause of the incident.
The Chief of Defence Staff and the members of the ABDF have extended deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of Shalico Charles, Vere Isaac, and Cleon Joseph during this incredibly difficult time.
The ABDF has also confirmed its commitment to conducting the investigation and providing closure to the families of the crew.
