Police have called off the search for Saimone Vaea (3) who is presumed to have drowned after falling overboard from a small boat in Ha’afeva early Saturday morning, December 3.

His body was not recovered and the search was called off, said a police spokesperson today.

The child was among about six people sitting on top of the cabin of a small boat, including his parents and five-year-old sister. Their small boat from ‘O’ua had set sail to meet the MV Otuanga’ofa ferry, which was berthed in the deep water since it could not anchor at the wharf.

Police said it was still dark when the small boat approached the ferry.

It is alleged that hte boat collided with the loading end of the ferry and capsized at around 5:07 am. The people on the small boat all fell into the sea. Those at the scene rescued the victim’s sister and others, while the victim could not be found.