Navy vessel GNS Aflao deployed to rescue missing canoe and fishermen - Maritime Authority

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has deployed the naval vessel GNS Aflao to aid in the rescue of seven fishermen who are stranded on a distressed canoe. The canoe, named Second Chance, departed from Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9, 2026, for a fishing expedition off Axim but has not returned. Deputy Director-General of the GMA, Mubarik Masawudu, confirmed to TV3's Daily Brief that the Authority is coordinating the rescue effort, dismissing reports of the operation being abandoned.

As of 2 p.m. on October 21, 2026, two approaches were being pursued to locate and rescue the fishermen. The first approach involves deploying the Ghana Navy vessel GNS Aflao, which is equipped with Marine Police Officers and medics, en route to the suspected location of the fishermen. However, the rescue team is working with limited and conflicting information about the canoe's exact location.

According to Masawudu, the lead fisherman initially reported the canoe's position as approximately 41 nautical miles south of Aflao, but the landmarks described did not align with this location. Based on this discrepancy, GMA officers suspect the fishermen could be south of Keta rather than south of Aflao. Communication between the rescue team and the fishermen has been challenging due to language barriers, as the fishermen speak Fante.

Currently, the GNS Aflao vessel is expected to arrive at the scene around 6 p.m., while local fishermen from Aflao, mobilized by the chief fisherman, are anticipated to reach the area within an hour. The GMA is also collaborating with the National Security apparatus to trace the fishermen's location using mobile phone signals. Despite the challenges, Masawudu assured the public that the rescue operation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to establish the canoe's location and reach the crew.