ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Mar 17, CMC – The search is continuing for three nationals, missing at sea and feared dead, after they failed to return to port last Thursday.
In a statement, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) Coast Guard said in a statement that the search is continuing for Carlton Pitt, Adrian Pryce, and Devon Prince, who were last seen on onboard the fishing boat that left port on the night of March 11 to fish approximately 12.5 nautical miles south-southwest of Barbuda and had not returned as expected.
The Coast Guard said that it has coordinated an extensive search operation involving multiple local and regional partners and that after several hours, involving two aircraft and five vessels covering more than 1,225 nautical miles of sea, the fishing vessel has not been located.
Media reports said that last Saturday, a local vessel assisting with the search discovered what appeared to be an engine cover matching the description of the fishing vessel, located approximately 26 nautical miles southwest of Palmetto Point.
Additional unconfirmed reports also suggest that a fishing cooler may have been found within the general search area.
In a statement, the Coast Guard has acknowledged the support of several agencies and private partners involved in the on-going search and rescue operation, including the ABDF Air Wing and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Fort-de-France in Fort-de-France,
It said that anyone with information that may assist in locating the missing vessel or its occupants is urged to contact the Coast Guard hotline.
The ABDF also used the opportunity to remind members of the maritime community about the importance of following safety protocols while at sea, including compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and local maritime regulations.
CMC/ah/ir/2026