Seven Crew Members Missing as Police and Navy Launch Search for Canoe Second Chance

According to a report by ChannelOne News published on October 20, 2026, the Western Regional Marine Police Command has launched a search for a missing fishing canoe named Second Chance and its seven crew members after the vessel failed to return from an offshore fishing expedition.

The canoe reportedly departed from the Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, 2026, for an expedition off the coast of Axim in the Western Region. However, the vessel and its crew had not returned by the time the owner, Nana Kweku Atta, reported the disappearance to the Sekondi Fishing Harbour Police Station.

According to a statement issued by the Western Regional Police Command on Tuesday, October 20, repeated attempts to contact the crew had been unsuccessful.

Preliminary information suggests that the canoe may have experienced engine failure, causing it to drift towards the Tema and Volta coasts. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the vessel’s last known location.

The disappearance has prompted a coordinated search involving several security and maritime institutions. The Western Naval Command, the Eastern Naval Command in Tema, the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and the Fisheries Commission have all been alerted to assist in locating the missing canoe and its occupants.

Relevant coastal police stations and fishing community leaders have also been notified as authorities work to establish the vessel’s last known position and determine the direction in which it may have drifted.

The Police have appealed to fishermen, chief fishermen and coastal residents to remain vigilant and immediately report any sightings of the canoe to the nearest police station.

The involvement of fishing communities is considered important because fishermen operating along the coast may encounter the missing vessel while at sea or returning to shore.

As of October 20, the search was ongoing, and the whereabouts of the seven crew members remained unknown. Authorities have not confirmed whether the crew experienced any injuries or other emergencies.

The incident highlights the risks faced by fishermen who travel offshore, particularly when vessels experience mechanical problems far from land. The search teams are continuing efforts to locate Second Chance and establish the circumstances surrounding its disappearance.

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