BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 27.2018 – FOLLOWING the last search operation conducted by the Coast Guard on June 14, there are still no signs of missing fishermen Vernon Pemberton and Hayden Langley.
Pemberton of New Road, according to police, had indicated to his family on June 3 that he and Langley of Buckley's were going out to sea to fish. They were never seen since, and on June 5 they were reported missing.
In a statement today, police said to date, several search operations at sea and by air have not resulted in any signs of the men nor the vessel it is believed they went fishing in.
“The last large-scale search operation conducted by the Coast Guard was done on Thursday, June 14 when a 290 nautical mile creeping line search pattern was used. This method systematically determines where an object might have drifted based on the current. The Officers of the Coast Guard searched from East of Nevis to South of Saba,” the statement read.
It continued: “The Coast Guard has been partnering with the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force to try to find the men who were last seen by members of their family on June 03. They were reported missing to the Police on June 05. According to the report made to the Police, Vernon Pemberton of New Road had indicated that he was going out to sea to fish with Hayden Langley of Buckleys. Neither have been seen since”.
The Coast Guard has committed to continue conducting searches during their routine patrols for as long as they can.
Search operations have already been conducted in the south of Nevis and near Redonda down to the St. Eustatius channel. The Coast Guard received assistance from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre based in Martinique and the neighbouring Dutch islands with fly-over searches.
The Department of Maritime Affairs has also played its part and asked vessels passing through the identified areas to look out for debris, a submerged vessel or persons in distress.
Police investigations into the matter are also continuing. If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of these two men, they are asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at the Basseterre Police Station by dialing 465-2241 or their nearest Police Station.
