RCIPS PR 17th April 2013 8:49

Missing fisherman located

The three local fishermen who had been missing since Monday 8 April have been located.

The canoe was spotted approximately a mile and a half off Kaibo earlier this morning by the crew of a private fishing vessel. The Joint Marine Unit deployed just before 8.00am and transported the men back to shore. They were met by an ambulance crew and will undergo medical checks.

Ends

RCIPS PR 16th April 2013 15:37

The RCIPS is liaising with law enforcement and search and rescue personnel in the United States and in Jamaica following a report that three Caymanian fishermen have been missing since 8 April.

The three men – James Michael Ebanks, Alton Phillips and Lyndon Banks – left the West Bay area in a 32 foot canoe on Monday 8 April. According to family members they normally stay out fishing for 3-4 days. When they had neither returned nor been in contact with family or friends by Saturday 13 April, a family member contacted the police.

It is not clear, at this stage, where the men intended to fish.

Since the report was received the RCIPS Air Operations and Marine Units have carried out air and sea searches. Contact has been made with the US Coastguard and with the Jamaica Defence Force. No sightings of the men, or their blue and white canoe, have been reported.

Mr. Ebanks was previously reported missing when he, and two other men, left Grand Cayman in a canoe heading for Jamaica on 19 August 2012. The men and their canoe were traced on 31 August off Frank Sound.

Police enquiries are ongoing and anyone who may have seen the men, or have any information which could assist the police, is asked to contact George Town police station on 949-4222 or the RCIPS tip-line 949-7777.

Photographs of all three men are attached.