It was meant to be a simple detour.
A search for birds and a final cast of the line, a chance to catch fresh fish for four tourists heading home the next day.
Instead, somewhere in the waters between Vunaniu and Naboutini in Serua, about six miles offshore, Beachouse Resort boat captain Donald Berabi saw and followed a flicker on the water, and found himself at the centre of a mystery that has gripped the nation over the past few days.
“I was returning from taking four tourists out on our daily island and surf trip after 2pm when we decided to do some fishing for our tourists,” he said.
“Make some fresh fish meal for the tourists who were leaving the next day.”
Out at sea, birds are guides circling above schools of fish. And that’s what he was looking for.
“While we looked up for birds, I saw helicopters hovering and I explained to the tourists there was a search party for nine missing fishermen. I was so focused on looking for birds.”
Then something broke the pattern.
“Between Vunaniu and Naboutini, about six miles out at sea, I was distracted by flashing, like something reflecting from the water. I thought it was the sun and the waves but was curious because it stayed in the same spot.
“And I knew a search was on and I really thought this could be the missing fishermen flashing something to ask for help.”
Hope propelled him forward.
“So, I decided to head towards it and 500 metres out, I asked my deckhand, Paul Chong Sue, to check what it was. He said it was a boat, so I rushed towards it.”
What they found instead was silence.
“I couldn’t believe it when we came upon the boat, just the engine and the boat.
“It made me really sad.”
He called his boss to ask to tow it and got Paul to drain the water as it was partly submerged.
“When he bailed the water, we found a man’s underwear used as a stop cork. The engine was up, the anchor rope was out.”
Every detail deepened the unease.
“They say it was a new boat but it must have taken a battering because the name was faded and rubber on the side of boat was out. The engine was up but there were no scratches to indicate it went on a reef. It looks like they anchored somewhere and the rope broke.”
Authorities later confirmed what he had begun to fear – the vessel belonged to the nine men reported missing at sea.
“It was heartbreaking when they told me, but I hope the missing anchor rope means they were somewhere close to shore and are safe somewhere.”
