Honiara, Solomon Islands- In response to public speculation and growing anger surrounding the disappearance of a crew member, Mr. Albert Richard, Pelican Shipping Limited, has sent an official statement clarifying the sequence of events that unfolded on the night of June 6, 2025, aboard the passenger vessel Pelican 2.
The manager of Pelican Shipping Limited addressed the media and public concerns directly, expressing deep sympathy for the loss and asking for compassion toward all those impacted by the tragic event.
“We understand the public’s concern and grief,” the manager said. “But we respectfully ask that the public and media refrain from spreading misleading or incomplete information about this incident.”
Timeline of Events
According to the company’s statement, Mr. Richard, a crew member of Pelican 2, was last seen on duty on the evening of June 6. It was later confirmed that he had consumed alcohol while on duty, a violation of the company’s safety protocols. A passenger reportedly witnessed Mr. Richard fell overboard but failed to inform the crew immediately. This delay, the manager explained, significantly impacted the ability to initiate an effective emergency response.
Once informed, the ship’s captain acted promptly: halting the vessel, initiating an internal search, and recording the coordinates where the fall was believed to have occurred, all while ensuring the safety of the remaining passengers onboard.
“When Mr. Richard could not be located during the onboard search, the captain made the necessary decision to first disembark passengers safely in Auki,” Hii stated. “The vessel then returned to the suspected location and commenced a full-scale search in cooperation with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA).”
Despite these efforts, Mr. Richard has not yet been found.
Addressing Misinformation
In light of some public commentary and online speculation, Pelican Shipping strongly refuted claims that the company had prioritized profits over the life of a missing crew member.
“To suggest that Pelican Shipping ‘chose profit over a missing crewman’ is not only false, but deeply hurtful to the captain, crew, and everyone who worked tirelessly to respond to this emergency,” Hii asserted. “These kinds of statements undermine the facts and do a disservice to the ongoing investigation.”
The company has pledged full transparency and cooperation with authorities throughout the investigation and has urged media outlets to report responsibly.
A Call for Compassion
Pelican Shipping’s statement ended with a solemn acknowledgment of the emotional toll the incident has taken, not only on Mr. Richard’s family but also on the crew of Pelican 2, who are said to be deeply affected by the ordeal.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr. Richard’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” said the manager. “We ask for compassion and understanding as we continue to support the search efforts and all those impacted by this tragedy.”
The investigation remains active, with MRCC and SIMA leading ongoing search and recovery operations. Pelican Shipping has reiterated its commitment to upholding maritime safety and learning from this heartbreaking event.
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