* This comes two weeks after a Tanzanian cargo vessel carrying coal that sailed across Lake Malawi without prior clearance and was detained after attempted to dock at Monkey Bay
Maravi Express
A Tanzanian-registered speed boat, Makutuwima Cruise, belonging to businessman Andrew Makutuwima Nyirenda, was reported missing this morning on Lake Malawi after departing Mbamba Bay in Tanzania heading for Nkhata Bay, Malawi.
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Reports by Malawi News Agency (MANA) and ZBSNews quoted Chikosa Mkandawire — senior assistant surveyor of vessels in Nkhata Bay — that the Malawian marine law enforcement were not notified of the Makutuwima Cruise’s itinerary until the boat, powered by two 90-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines went missing.
According to Mkandawire, the Malawian authorities received a report from the boat owner indicating that the vessel left Mbamba Bay between 10h00 and 11h00 on Sunday.
After the vessel failed to arrive at its expected time in Nkhata Bay and no communication had been received from those on board, the owner then reported it missing.
The boat — according to the Ministry of Transport — was carrying four Dutch tourists and three crew members, two Malawians and a Tanzanian and is suspected the vessel may have developed a mechanical fault.
Exact cause of its disappearance has not yet been established, said Mkandawire, who indicated that search and rescue efforts were swiftly deployed to locate the missing vessel and its occupants.
ZBSNews later quoted Mkandawire that Tanzanian officials noticed the Malawian counterparts that the boat was located at Luwiru and that rescue operations by both countries’ marine law enforcement were still underway.
Mkandawire added with emphasis that “according to the law, the Port Master in Malawi is supposed to be notified at least 24 hours before departure”, but Makutuwima Cruise did not”.
“We appeal to members of the public, particularly fishermen, boat operators and lakeshore communities, to report any sighting of the vessel or its occupants to the nearest marine or security authorities to assist the ongoing search operation and more updates will be provided as additional information becomes available,” Mkandawire is quoted as saying.
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The operation involves various agencies, including the Malawi Police Service, Malawi Defence Force, Department of Marine Services, Civil Aviation Authority of Malawi, and private marine operators — “all working collaboratively to locate the vessel and ensure the safety of those on board”.
“We remain hopeful for a positive outcome and commend all search and rescue personnel for their dedication and tireless efforts during this operation.
This development comes two weeks after a Tanzanian-registered cargo vessel, carrying coal destined for Portland Cement in Balaka, was detained in Mangochi when its crew attempted to dock at Monkey Bay having sailed all the way from the Tanzania’s Mbamba Bay Port without being cleared by the Malawian marine authorities.
It was later allowed to dock and was released after thorough security inspections by the Malawi Navy, Police, Immigration and other security agencies.—Reporting by Chisomo Kambandanga, MANA & Alex Batison, ZBSNews; editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
