Police divers recover the body of Savai’i fisherman
Police on Saturday warned fishermen to stay out of the ocean after divers from their Maritime Wing recovered the body of a 23-year-old man amid severe weather conditions.
Police issued the warning in a statement published Saturday afternoon on the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services Facebook page.
In the statement, police informed the public of a search carried out for the young man from Sapulu Salelologa, Savai’i after he went missing while on fishing expedition.
“This message serves to inform the public that Samoa Police divers have recovered the body of a 23-year-old male from Sapulu Salelologa earlier this morning after he went missing on Thursday from a fishing trip,” police said.
Police expressed their sympathies to the family members of the deceased.
They ask the public to remain patient as they continue their investigation into the man’s death.
“Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services are continuing investigations into this matter,” the statement says.
“We ask for the public's patience and we convey our sincerest condolences to the affected families.”
Police reiterated that safety is their priority and implored members of the public, especially fishermen not to go out fishing.
Early in the week, on Thursday morning, on the day the Savai’i fisherman went out fishing, weather officials had issued a Heavy Rain Advisory which was upgraded to a Heavy Rain Warning by Thursday afternoon.
A Marine Advisory was also in effect on Thursday evening, according to the Met Service’s 5 p.m. bulletin.
“With the weather conditions worsening, Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services reminds the public not to go out fishing. Your safety is our priority! Stay safe, Samoa,” the statement reads.
Police issued a notice about severe weather on Friday night, 6 January, after the Samoa Meteorological Service issued three warnings for all of Samoa in its 5 p.m. Severe Weather Information statement: A Heavy Rain Warning, a Flood Warning and a Marine Warning.
Weather officials also issued a Wind Advisory.
Police asked the travelling public to drive safely on the roads and to drive slowly in order to “reach your destination safely.”
Pedestrians were advised to keep clear of roads and be safe.
Families living in low lying areas were advised to keep safe from flooding, to look out for each other and stay dry.
“To our fishermen, a gentle reminder to stay clear of the waters! Your safety is our number one priority!” the Friday notice from police said.
By Saturday afternoon, the Marine Warning from weather officials was downgraded to a Marine Advisory.
On Sunday morning, 8 August, the Marine Advisory was cancelled and the rain and flood warnings were downgraded to a Heavy Rain Advisory and a Flood Advisory.
“The convergence zone that impacted the group with gloomy conditions, heavy downpours and strong gusty winds now lies just South of the island chain. Such weather pattern leads to easing conditions as observed recently,” the 5 a.m. Severe Weather Information states.
“Hence, the Heavy Rain Warning and Flood Warning are now downgraded into the Advisory states as the system may continue to provide some rainfall activities, heavy at times in some areas, despite its current location. The risk of flooding is likely in vulnerable areas as the soil is still saturated from previous prolonged rainfall.”
“In addition, the area of fresh to strong winds that generated high waves and swells exit our marine waters along with the aforementioned system, thus prompting the cancellation of the Marine Advisory. For today, anticipate isolated showers with periods of heavy falls in some areas and a few thunderstorms possible.”
Potential impacts, according to the 5 a.m. report are heavy downpours with poor visibility, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways. Flooding and landslides are possible.
The Samoa Meteorological Service issues two weather bulletins daily: at 5 a.m. and at 5 p.m.