Search operations led by the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) Coast Guard remain active this week, as authorities work to locate three local fishermen who have not been heard from since they set sail on a routine fishing expedition last week. The three missing men have been formally identified as Rowel Martin, Gregory Questelles and Cleofoster Jarvis, who departed Antigua and Barbuda aboard their small fishing vessel, the Lady Madesha.
According to Acting Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Captain Vaughn Simon, official notification of the trio’s disappearance was not received by authorities until Monday, multiple days after the fishermen left their home port. The Lady Madesha and its crew were last observed leaving Port Wharf last Thursday, with no further confirmed sightings reported in the days since.
To date, sweeping search efforts across nearby coastal waters have turned up no trace of the three fishermen or their vessel. Coast Guard teams have continued to patrol search zones, scanning waters for any debris, life signs, or sign of the missing boat to advance the investigation.
As official efforts continue, both law enforcement and the family of one of the missing men have issued urgent appeals for public assistance to aid the search. The family of Rowel Martin, who is known locally by the nicknames “Money Man” and “Badda Bitch”, has stepped forward to share their own appeal, asking members of the public with any piece of information that could help locate the vessel or crew to come forward immediately.
The family’s statement confirms only that Martin was last recorded at sea, with no additional details about the fishing vessel’s planned route or the exact time that communication with the crew was lost. In addition to asking anyone with insight to contact either the ABDF Coast Guard, local police, or members of the Martin family directly, the family has urged the public to share the missing person notice across local communities and social platforms. They also asked for continued prayers for the safe return of all three fishermen and for all teams involved in the ongoing search effort.
Authorities have emphasized that even the smallest piece of information could prove critical to advancing the search, and ask that anyone with relevant details reach out to emergency response teams without delay.