The Sri Lanka Navy said it is continuing search operations for the missing naval officer for a fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, following the accident involving a Fast Attack Craft off Angulana.
Fast Attack Craft P 4447 encountered a maritime emergency at around 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 while returning from a routine patrol off Angulana.
Eleven personnel on board were rescued with the assistance of Angulana Police and local fishermen. They remain under medical care and are in stable condition, the Navy said.
The Navy, in coordination with the Sri Lanka Air Force, launched an operation to locate the missing officer and recover the craft.
Naval divers salvaged the craft following an operation that began early on Aug. 16. However, rough sea conditions over the past few days have hampered efforts to tow the vessel, the Navy said.
Citing preliminary accounts from the rescued personnel, the Navy said the craft may have come into contact with a submerged wreck in the area. It said this possibility is among the circumstances being examined.
A panel of experts has also been appointed to conduct a preliminary investigation into the incident. (Newswire)