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Missing fishermen found by police boat from Samoa — tired, hungry — alive

“We are thankful for our Heavenly Father’s guidance and protection upon us, we are safe,” said Tauaveave Lagai of Ofu Manu’a, one of the four fishermen who was lost at sea for over ten days, during an interview with Samoa News yesterday via telephone to Apia, Samoa.

 

Lagai, along with the other three men,Talavou Fegaua’i of Faleniu, Nu’uuli Tupa’i of Pago Pago and Meleke Meleke of Nu’uuli were found last week Thursday by the MV Nafanua police boat from Samoa, which assisted in the search, following a request from the Department of Public Safety Commissioner, William Haleck. Samoa News understands they were found  between Samoa and Swains Island.

 

Speaking to Samoa News, also over the phone, Mrs. Julie Lagai, his wife, said they were so happy that her husband has been found alive and well, “but they were tired, hungry and somewhat scared of what could have been the outcome. But they had faith and belief that our Heavenly Father would not forsake them.” She went on to thank the Samoa government for their generosity since their arrival in Samoa.

 

Her husband has been housed at the wharf since they arrived in Samoa, while the other three men were allowed to leave as they are Samoa citizens. It’s unknown when the fishermen will return to the Territory.

 

Fighting back her emotions, Mrs. Lagai told Samoa News that she’s just thankful that her husband and friends have been found. “I never lost hope… God has answered our prayers,” she stated.

 

She told Samoa News that she’s unclear when her husband will be coming home.

 

However, she noted, “I’m happy that my three children can now sleep at night knowing that their father is coming home anytime soon, as it was very difficult this past week since he went missing out at sea.”

 

The woman was initially unhappy with the response by the police, however this time, with tears in her voice, Mrs. Lagai said she’s thankful to the Department of Public Safety and the Samoa Government for their assistance which led to the discovery of her husband and his friends. She said as soon as she heard her husband’s voice, they both cried and said a quick prayer thanking God for his love and never ending protection.

 

Mrs. Lagai said they waited for the TV3 live from Samoa, and were finally able to see her husband, along with his friends for the first time since their ordeal — they were being interviewed.  “It was such a joy to see him, after being missing out at sea for so long, it was so nice seeing his face on TV.”

 

Tauaveavu Lagai’s sister, Fa’afua Lagai Simanu said their family are ‘beyond happy’. “Tears of joy came down my face as soon as I heard my brother’s voice the day he and his friends were picked up by the MV Nafanua.

 

It was the MV Nafanua, Apia's Patrol Boat that rescued the missing alia from American Samoa.

 

As reported last week, Mrs. Lagai had been sitting at the Fagatogo ferry wharf with family members for days after her husband went missing.  Commissioner Haleck said at the time that DPS had reached out to the Samoa government for assistance in using one of their boats for the search as well as seeking assistance from the US Coast Guard for help in the search.