A search and recovery operation continued on July 3 for Mailangi Vea (45), of Fungamisi, Vava’u, who was swept away by waves when the dinghy he was in capsized at about 2:30 pm, Saturday July 2, 2016 at Late Island in Vava'u. 

Tonga Police advised that the search and recovery in the area of Late Island resumed Monday morning. There has been no sighting of Mailangi since he was swept away.

Neiafu Police Search and Rescue boat ‘Kapakau ‘o Tafahi’ with three Police and a local boat with five divers were conducting the search. 

"Mr Vea was hired by Digicel Tonga to bring back eight of their people to Neiafu who were working at Late Island for approximately three weeks," Tonga Police stated. 

"Police coordinated the rescue of the rest of Mr Vea’s three crew as well as the eight Digicel workers, with the help of a local boat that towed back Mr Vea’s boat ‘Ilena’ to Neiafu last night." 

They were assisted by a Digicel helicopter crew.

SAR

Since the launch of the three new police Search and Rescue (SAR) boats in December 2015, police have saved 54 lives, and recovered one body from 14 Police SAR operations. 

Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell emphasized to mariners and seafarers of the importance of taking precautions and safety measures before embarking on their voyages "To make sure that they have a communication means, life jacket, emergency flares and a beacon."