The Fiji Navy has suspended active search operations for nine people missing at sea after an exhaustive, multi-day effort involving aerial and surface assets and support from regional partners, the service said in a statement on Tuesday. The decision follows a 48-hour period of intensified searches carried out after the discovery of a semi-submerged fibreglass boat, and comes after a comprehensive review of all operations conducted over the past week.
Authorities said the move was guided by a combination of factors: the wide areas already covered by search teams, prevailing weather and sea conditions, drift-analysis modelling, survivability assessments and all information gathered during the operation — including reported sightings, floating debris and the recovery of the damaged vessel. Despite the scale of the effort, no survivors have been located and no credible leads have emerged.
Search activity involved Fiji Navy and Water Police vessels, defence-chartered aircraft crewed by navy aircrew, locally supported air assets and assistance from regional partners, notably the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand. Local communities, maritime operators and members of the public also provided help and information that were integrated into the search planning, the Navy said.
While active search operations have been scaled down, authorities stressed the case remains open. Monitoring of the area will continue and the Navy said operations could be resumed if new, credible information is received that alters the search picture or improves the prospects for locating the missing people.
In its statement the Fiji Navy expressed gratitude to all those involved in the response and extended condolences to the families of the missing. The statement also repeated longstanding maritime-safety advice, urging mariners to prepare properly for voyages, travel with appropriate safety equipment and notify authorities of travel plans before departing.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Fiji Rescue Coordination Centre on 1539, or to report sightings to the nearest police station or maritime authority. The suspension marks the latest development in an incident that prompted a major, coordinated regional search effort this week; authorities say they remain ready to redeploy resources should credible new leads emerge.