Police in Nuku’alofa today said the two left ‘Ohonua for Fai'ana on a 14ft boat at around 5:30am on Saturday morning.

At around 3:00pm in the afternoon the father phoned home in ‘Eua informing them that the boat’s motor had failed to restart and asked for assistance to get back to land.

The family then contacted police and a private fishing boat left ‘Ohonua for the area. At the same time, Police Search and Rescue boat ‘Alotolu departed Nuku’alofa to the area to provide assistance in the same afternoon.

However, when the rescue boat arrived in the area, the small fishing boat and passengers were nowhere to be seen. When searched the area the sea was rough, said a police spokesperson.

The search continued on Sunday, December 11 but there was still no sighting of the boat or the father and son.

Coastal radio has informed all boats in the area to keep a look out for this missing boat if they are in the area, said police.