The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

OFFICERS of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are actively searching for a Chinese man who has been missing at sea since Sunday afternoon.

According to reports, the man was with a group of four Chinese men who left Jaws Beach on a small Kayak around noon for a fishing trip.

The men reportedly encountered bad weather, which resulted in one of the men abandoning the Kayak and attempting to swim ashore to seek help.

He was rescued by officers of the RBDF around 9pm Sunday. The Tribune understands he is 28-year-old Xun Sun.

Shortly before 3am on Monday, a second man was rescued in waters near Clifton Pier by the tug boat “Deep Sea”.

He has been identified as Jun Kong. Kong led officers of the RPDF in the direction of Gaulin Cay where he said he last saw his two friends drifting and floating. However,  a search of the area turned up nothing.

Around 11:40am Monday, a third man was rescued and taken to the Coral Harbour Base. According to reports, the man told officers that he and the fourth man were clinging onto a life raft when his friend got tired and went under.

The search continues for the fourth man. The RBDF is being assisted by Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos.

On Friday the Department of Meteorology issued a warning to beach goers and mariners as a low pressure system was expected to bring moderate to heavy swells along the coastline.

According to the Meteorological Office, the “dangerous” swells could exceed 22 feet particularly around Long Wharf, Go-Slow Bend, Saunders Beach, areas in the vicinity of the Caves, West Bay Street, Eastern New Providence, the Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera and other areas throughout the archipelago vulnerable to sea swells.

They also advised small craft operators to remain in port.

The advisory remains in effect.