Incident Summary
Incident: Man Overboard / Missing Fisherman at Sea
Date: 3-4 June 2026
Time: Approximately 02:00 hrs, 4 June 2026
Location: At sea off the Western Region coast, Ghana
Vessel Involved: Exodus 14:14
Vessel Owner: Nana Kwasi Ackon, Chief Fisherman of Ngyiresia
Persons Affected: 1 missing fisherman
Missing Person: Kofi C. K. Mann, 58 years old, Outboard Motor Operator
Nature of Incident: Accidental fall overboard during adverse weather conditions
Response: Crew immediately turned the vessel around and conducted a search using touch lights; unsuccessful. Incident reported to the police.
Outcome: Fisherman remains missing.
Sequence of Events
Seven fishermen from Ngyiresia in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area departed for a fishing expedition on Saturday, 30 May 2026, aboard the fishing vessel Exodus 14:14, owned by Nana Kwasi Ackon, the Chief Fisherman of Ngyiresia. During the fishing trip, the crew successfully cast three fishing nets. However, a fourth net yielded little or no catch, prompting the crew to end the fishing operation and begin their return journey at approximately 15:00 hrs on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.
At about 20:00 hrs, while returning home, the vessel encountered severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas associated with the widespread storm that caused flooding in several southern Ghanaian cities, including Accra, Winneba, and Sekondi-Takoradi. Due to the intensity of the weather, the vessel’s operator decided to remain stationary until conditions improved. During this period, the operator took the opportunity to eat and rest after continuously operating the outboard motor from 15:00 hrs.
As the vessel remained at sea, water occasionally entered the craft and had to be manually scooped out by the crew. Throughout the journey, the vessel’s principal outboard motor operator, Mr. Kofi C. K. Mann, aged 58, periodically left his position at the motor to inspect the route ahead.
At approximately 02:00 hrs on Thursday, 4 June 2026, Mr. Mann went forward to assess conditions ahead of the vessel. While returning to the motor position, a bamboo pole he was holding reportedly broke, causing him to lose his balance and fall overboard.
Upon noticing the incident, the crew immediately turned the vessel around and commenced a search operation. The fishermen reported briefly sighting Mr. Mann in the water after illuminating the area with their touch lights. Despite their efforts, they were unable to reach him. The crew continued searching for an extended period but were unable to locate or recover him.
According to Nana Kwasi Ackon, owner of the vessel and Chief Fisherman of Ngyiresia, the crew exhausted all efforts to locate the missing fisherman before deciding to return ashore. The incident was subsequently reported to the police for further investigation.
Mr. Kofi C. K. Mann, the 58-year-old outboard motor operator aboard the fishing vessel Exodus 14:14, owned by Nana Kwasi Ackon, Chief Fisherman of Ngyiresia, fell overboard during the early hours of 4 June 2026 and remains missing. Despite immediate search efforts by fellow crew members, he could not be located. The matter has been reported to the police, and investigations are ongoing.