Seven Ghanaian fishermen have been missing at sea for more than a week after their fishing canoe failed to return from an expedition off the coast of Axim, prompting a coordinated search by security agencies and maritime authorities. Corrections Policy
The fishermen reportedly left Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9, 2026, aboard a canoe named Second Chance. Their disappearance was reported to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on October 18 by the vessel’s owner, Nana Kweku Atta, according to reports.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the crew’s safety, particularly amid reports of their struggle to obtain drinking water while stranded offshore.
The headline accompanying the story quotes the fishermen as saying, “We boil seawater to drink,” highlighting the desperate conditions they may be facing. However, the exact circumstances surrounding that reported statement have not been independently confirmed in the police update.
Search launched for missing canoe and crew
The Western Regional Marine Police Command is coordinating a search operation involving the Ghana Navy, Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Fisheries Commission and fishing communities along the coast.
Police said repeated attempts to contact the crew had been unsuccessful, increasing concern over their whereabouts. Authorities are working to establish the canoe’s last known position and determine the circumstances surrounding its disappearance. Editorial Standards
A subsequent update suggested that Second Chance might have suffered engine failure, potentially leaving the vessel drifting at sea.
There were indications that it could have moved towards Tema and the Volta coast, although police stressed that its last known location had not been confirmed.
The uncertainty has complicated efforts to locate the fishermen, as the search may need to cover a wider stretch of Ghana’s coastline.
The Western Naval Command, relevant coastal police stations, chief fishermen and the Eastern Naval Command in Tema have been alerted to support the operation.
Authorities have appealed to fishing communities and members of the public to report any sightings of the canoe or information that could help locate the missing crew.
Concerns over access to drinking water
The reported claim that the fishermen have resorted to boiling seawater to obtain drinking water has drawn attention to the dangers of prolonged stranding at sea.
Access to safe drinking water is essential for survival, particularly when people are exposed to heat, wind and demanding physical conditions. Without adequate freshwater supplies, dehydration can become a serious risk, while limited food and prolonged uncertainty can further weaken stranded individuals.
Importantly, boiling seawater alone does not make it safe to drink. Although boiling can kill many disease-causing organisms, it does not remove dissolved salt.
Drinking untreated seawater can worsen dehydration because the body must use additional water to eliminate the excess salt. Desalination or distillation, which separates freshwater from the salt, is needed to make seawater suitable for drinking. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The reported situation underscores the urgency of locating the crew and determining whether they have access to safe water, food and functioning equipment. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the fishermen’s current physical condition or the quantity of supplies remaining aboard the canoe.
Maritime safety and the risks facing fishermen
The disappearance also highlights the risks faced by Ghanaian fishing communities, many of which depend on small vessels for their livelihoods.
Engine failure, changing weather conditions, communication difficulties and limited emergency supplies can turn an ordinary fishing expedition into a dangerous situation.
When a vessel loses propulsion or drifts beyond its expected route, locating it can become difficult, particularly when its precise position is unknown.
Reliable communication equipment, sufficient drinking water, emergency provisions and properly maintained engines are important safeguards for fishing crews.
Access to location-tracking equipment can also help rescuers narrow the search area when a vessel fails to return. Newscard
However, investigators have not established that equipment deficiencies or inadequate preparations contributed to the disappearance of Second Chance.
Engine failure remains a possibility mentioned in preliminary updates rather than a confirmed explanation.
Authorities appeal for information
The Marine Police Command continues to work with maritime agencies and coastal communities to establish the canoe’s whereabouts.
Fishermen operating around Axim, Sekondi, Tema and the Volta coast have been urged to remain alert and report credible information to the nearest police station.
For the families of the seven crew members, the prolonged absence of contact is an agonising wait for news. The search effort is therefore focused on finding the vessel and determining the condition of everyone aboard. Privacy Policy & Terms
As the operation continues, the priority remains locating the fishermen and providing assistance if they are found.
Further information from maritime authorities will be essential in clarifying the vessel’s last known position, the circumstances of its disappearance and the crew’s condition.