A Papua New Guinea chief engineer remains missing after disappearing while on duty aboard a commercial vessel operating in Bougainville waters.

R&A Marine Services (RAMS) has confirmed that Richard Samai, the Chief Engineer of the MV Emilia Spirit, was formally reported missing on Monday, 15 December 2025, while the vessel was engaged in a scheduled commercial operation.

The company said it has not been able to determine the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and remains uncertain whether he went overboard.

According to RAMS, relevant authorities were notified shortly after the incident. These included the National Maritime Safety Authority, the Papua New Guinea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, and Kokopo Police.

The company also confirmed that its administrative office in Arawa informed Arawa Police to ensure authorities in Bougainville were fully briefed.

RAMS acknowledged that internal reviews identified breaches of company operational policy involving personnel, including the missing engineer. However, the company said it would not provide further comment while official investigations by authorities remain ongoing.

In a public statement, the company described the situation as deeply distressing and stated that it was limiting public communication out of respect for the family and to protect the integrity of the investigative process.

Meanwhile, the family of the missing seafarer has expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation so far. Speaking on behalf of the family, Richard Samai’s brother, Smith Samai, said they had identified discrepancies in the handling of the case by Kokopo Police.

The family has formally requested that the matter be transferred to the Bougainville Police Service, citing jurisdictional concerns and procedural issues.

Richard Samai was last seen boarding the RAMS-managed MV Emilia Spirit at Loloho Port in central Bougainville on the evening of Monday, 15 December. More than three weeks later, his whereabouts remain unknown.

Investigations by relevant authorities are continuing.

References: pngfacts, onepng