Soufriere man believed lost at sea

Delbert Xavier also known as “One shot”

Investigations are underway into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a Soufriere man who was last seen on Sunday, May 8, 2021, before heading out to sea.

Delbert Xavier is said to have vanished in open waters and family members are unsure if he was accompanied by any other fisherman.

Speaking to Dominica News Online (DNO), a family member of the missing man stated that on the day in question, Xavier went fishing in an unidentified fishing boat, but never made it back to shore.

According to the concerned relative, when he did not return home that evening, it raised concerns as this is unusual for the veteran fisherman.

Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force Inspector John Carbon, has also confirmed to our team that since then searches have been conducted by the Dominica Coast Guard, but up until Friday, Xavier had not been found.

He also said that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Martinique was assisting them with the ongoing search.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Xavier is asked to contact their nearest police station or family members on 767- 316 0824.

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13 Comments

  1. Anson Pantz
    May 17, 2021

    We’d see brave men going to sea in leaky boats with old motors and no oars or sail. Sad, but poverty drives them.

  2. Knowno
    May 17, 2021

    Was he wearing any shiny objects on his body? If he was, he can breath under water now, they will let him be with them, keep him as a slave for sometime and then release him if they really like him. Let us pray for his safe return. Could be years before his return, and he might come back speech less too but, that is expected in these situations. Children, don’t go to the river or sea wearing jewelry. You have been warned.

    • May 17, 2021

      Why you have to write such insensitive crap, have some compassion for the mans family you jerk

    • sherm
      May 18, 2021

      Knowno Post should be censored. One should think of the negative impact that statement lacking empathy will affect family members that will read it. How would you like that said in reference to your family member. (father, Mother, Brother, sister, Etc)?

  3. Contraband
    May 17, 2021

    One Shot is safely back at back at base in Soufriere I’m told, after a long trip at sea that to him to T&T.

  4. Kawant woseau
    May 16, 2021

    Dominica need a maritime business where all boating appliances are sold,,so these fishermen can purchase GPS for these boats,seriously,,make it easier to track and rescue these Guys

    • May 17, 2021

      It’s so sad to read about these hardworking fellows being swept away so. After Maria I was thinking that each village should have a satellite messenger device on hand so that some communications would be possible under any conditions. I wonder whether fishing cooperates might be able to get some of these also.

      • Londoner
        May 23, 2021

        Maybe a Govt backed scheme to rent “PLB”s (Personal Locator Beacons) to fishermen etc? They cost about £250 to buy and broadcast a locator signal for 24 hours after being activated. Reliable safety equipment isn’t cheap – but neither is it a luxury …

    • Man bites dogs
      May 17, 2021

      We have all the information and equipment at hand for the fishermen as usual black people don’t look at the real picture but only at the negative and think they can do better!

      • Londoner
        May 23, 2021

        You consider “thinking they can do matter” to be a negative thing?

        Your comment is ignorant and racist.

        Frankly, it’s hard to see the point of “moderating” comments if racist nonsense like this can be published?

        … but of course perhaps I’m not seeing the “real picture”?

        ADMIN: Let us open this question to the forum: Do you think it is racist for a black person to generalize behaviour to black people?

    • Bwa-Banday
      May 17, 2021

      Great advise..
      I have actually explored this business idea but I can assure you it is a failing proposal unless it is legislated and fishers are mandated to have that service or else risk being arrested by coast guard personnel at sea. On the other hand, some of our passport money can go into something like that ran by the licensing department (police) because when alerted its the coast guard who can respond in a timely manner.

      But again, with no money in the country so everyone is tempted to taking unnecessary risks to earn a living. We treat our fisher folks like they are not valued. Hopefully someone in government will see this and make an investment in our people.

  5. May 16, 2021

    “1 shot” my boy! Sad vibes…..hoping for some good news all the same.

  6. Carol buntin
    May 15, 2021

    I hope that he is found safe and well

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