On Friday 19 February 2021, the Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) Storm Bay,…

On Friday 19 February 2021, the Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) Storm Bay, operating under the control of Maritime Border Command (MBC), located and recovered a Papua New Guinea (PNG) fishing vessel that was adrift with nobody on board. At the time of detection the fishing vessel was within Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Given the state of the vessel along with the prevailing weather conditions, it was assessed the vessel had likely broken free from its mooring at Sigabadaru Island, PNG. ABFC Storm Bay subsequently secured the vessel and arrangements were made between the councillors from Sigabadaru and Saibai to return the vessel to its rightful owners. Later that same day the vessel was returned to Sigabadaru Island…