Majuro, Marshall Islands, 13 November 2026
The Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) provides the following update on the response to the observer reported missing at sea from the fishing vessel KOO’S 103.
Vessel in port and jointly boarded
The vessel is now in port. MIMRA, together with the Maritime Police/Sea Patrol, boarded the vessel. MIMRA collected all evidence from the vessel for further investigation, with police support to maintain the chain of custody. This included the observer’s manual and logbooks, as well as his personal belongings.
MIMRA is adhering to the set of actions required of the flag State under the WCPFC Conservation and Management Measure on observer safety and the FFA Minimum Terms and Conditions for licensing, covering the elements:
- Fishing operations stopped immediately, and search and rescue carried out, with other vessels in the vicinity alerted.
- The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the observer provider and the WCPFC Secretariat notified.
- The decision on the length of the search was taken, and the return to home port was agreed with the observer provider.
- The vessel’s incident report was filed, the vessel is held in port, and evidence was preserved, including the observer’s quarters and effects.
- The flag State investigation has opened, with full cooperation with the observer provider’s own investigation.
- The operator’s compliance with the licence conditions was checked, including insurance, a two-way satellite device, a personal locator beacon and safety equipment.
All actions were taken in consultation and agreement with the observer provider, the Kiribati Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR), whose management is presently in Majuro
Next steps
Interviews with the crew will continue over the coming days. The vessel remains in port until further notice. The results of the investigation and any action taken will be reported to the observer provider and the WCPFC Secretariat once it is complete.
The observer and the crew
This was the observer’s third consecutive trip on this vessel, and no issues had been reported on his previous trips. The crew and the officers are deeply saddened and affected by what has happened. They are eager to help in any way they can and have cooperated with the authorities throughout.
Our thoughts are with the family
Out of respect for the observer’s family, we will not release personal details until the family consents. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
MIMRA will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.