Man missing after fishing boat collision with Coast Guard patrol

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A man is missing after a fishing boat struck a Coast Guard patrol during an attempted stop off Bahrain’s coast, the Public Prosecution said.

Two suspects have been remanded in custody, a child who was on board has been released, and the seized boat remains impounded while searches continue.

The patrol drew alongside the vessel to address suspected breaches when the crew tried to flee.

Their boat veered towards the Coast Guard craft and hit it after the suspects cut the ropes to their bottom-trawl nets known locally as ‘Karaf’.

Chase

One man fell into the sea and was helped back on board. The chase carried on until the boat was intercepted.

It later emerged a second person had fallen into the water during the pursuit and could not be found.

Police searched the area but did not locate him.

According to the Prosecution, the suspects reported this only after they were detained, about an hour into the chase.

Investigators said the crew had not switched on navigation lights, had concealed the boat’s plate and had failed to activate the Automatic Identification System.

On questioning, the suspects admitted they had not complied with the Coast Guard during monitoring and inspection and that they had been fishing with bottom-trawl gear.

The Prosecution has ordered the search for the missing person to continue and confirmed that inquiries are still in progress.