Cook Islands Police have called off the search for Lady Moana crew member Luke Vakayawa. Photo: Supplied
The Cook Islands police have called off the search for 22-year-old Luke Vakayawa, who fell overboard from an inter-island ferry over the weekend.
Luke, from Fiji, was a crew member on Lady Moana, which was returning to Rarotonga from Mangaia.
Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said the lifesaver ring that had been deployed when Vakayawa went overboard was found on Tuesday.
"The search and rescue operation was assessed this morning in discussions between the maritime commander and the commissioner and it was agreed that the search and rescue be stood down given that the patrol boat conducted quite a comprehensive search of the location area where the man was missing," Pitt said.
The police patrol boat was dispatched searching for Luke since Sunday morning, local time, and continued searching until Monday night, local time.
On Sunday at around 3.43am, police patrol boat Te Kukupa II received a distress call reporting a man overboard from the cargo vessel.
The crew was mobilised and dispatched early Sunday morning and at 8.45am, Te Kukupa II reached the location of Lady Moana, which had no success in recovering the man, after nine hours.
"It was decided the patrol boat has done as much as it could."
Pitt said police will now reach out to the father and it is up to the coroner to decide what the next steps will be.
He said he did not know what the ocean conditions were like during the voyage.
Inter-island ferry Lady Moana. Photo: Cook Islands News
The father of Luke, Vuli Vakayawa, is also the captain of the inter-island ferry Lady Moana.
Father 'devastated'
He told Cook Islands News he had always enjoyed sailing to the Pa Enua (outer islands) to deliver and collect supplies, but the loss of his son has left him heartbroken.
"I am devastated by what transpired in the seas between Mangaia and Rarotonga," he told the newspaper.
"The passage that once brought me so much joy now bears the weight of this heart-breaking loss. Despite my years of seafaring, this event has changed my relationship with the sea forever."
Luke arrived in the Cook Islands in March 2023 and had shortly begun working for the shipping company.
Vuli described Luke to the paper as shy, both within his family and in the wider community.
He was a member of Fijian charity, Friends of Fiji in Rarotonga.
"Luke was also a member of Friends of Fiji Inc., and the board and members of FOF take solace in the memory of Luke's participation in welcoming (Fiji's Prime Minister) PM (Sitiveni) Rabuka at the Tamarind House seven months ago," the organisation said in a statement.
"Luke's contributions were silent yet essential, reflecting his character perfectly."
A memorial service is being organised by Friends of Fiji Inc and the family.
Additional reporting by Cook Islands News.
