The 23-foot Pirogue fishing vessel “Give Thanks”, which went missing in December, has been discovered at the bottom of the sea approximately four miles west of Cedar Tree Point on the northwest side of Barbuda.

The vessel was found purely by chance by a group of diving Barbudans in about 50 feet of water. Onboard, they discovered empty fishing pots, suggesting that the three missing crew members may have been en route to set them at the time of the sinking.

The disappearance of the boat occurred during severe weather conditions, with high winds and rough seas recorded on that day. However, there is still no sign of the three men who were aboard when the vessel went missing.

Efforts are now underway to refloat the vessel and return it to Barbuda, with the assistance of a friend of the island.

Authorities have not yet provided updates on whether further searches will be conducted for the missing crew.