Marine Search For Dereck Spenser Resumes
[Updated] The marine search for Dereck Spenser resumed this morning [Nov 23] after being suspended late yesterday.
Mr. Spenser was last seen around 4:30pm on Wednesday [Nov 21] having left his job in the Dockyard area on his motorcycle. The news of his disappearance prompted numerous comments online, with many people expressing their concern for the well liked 49-year-old.
The Police Marine Unit and the Bermuda Regiment Boat Troop searched the Ely’s Harbour area yesterday, where Mr Spenser’s houseboat is located. Bermuda Maritime Operations also issued a marine broadcast for any vessels in the area to assist in the efforts, and local boaters came to assist in the search.
The police said they believe Mr Spenser’s “general activity may have been disrupted and he may have fallen into difficulty in Ely’s Harbour.”
Update: The police issued an updated statement
Around 9am Friday, November 23rd the marine search for Mr. Dereck Spenser resumed in the Ely’s Harbour, Sandys parish area. Vessels from the Bermuda Police Service Marine Unit, Bermuda Regiment Boat Troop, Department of Marine and Ports and Department of Environmental Protection Fisheries Section as well as private vessels continued efforts to locate 49 year old Mr. Spenser – who was last seen around 4:30pm Wednesday, November 21st.
In addition, divers assisted with the marine search while police officers and volunteers conducted a foot search of the surrounding area – including islands in Ely’s Harbour and along Wreck Road, where Mr. Spenser’s punt was found unoccupied Thursday morning by marine police.
However, despite their efforts Mr. Spenser was not located, and around 4:15pm Friday, November 23rd the marine search for Mr. Spenser was suspended due to low visibility.
The Bermuda Police Service would like to thank all members of the public including private area land owners, private vessel operators, other Government Departments and the Bermuda Regiment for their invaluable assistance so far in the search for Mr. Spenser – who is described as brown skinned, of slim to medium build with close cut hair (grey in the front) and a grey moustache.
Search efforts are scheduled to continue on Saturday, November 24th. Any private vessel operators or members of the public that can further assist on Saturday are encouraged to contact search coordinator Inspector Mark Telemaque on 717-2048.
Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information on Mr. Spenser’s last known whereabouts or movements since Wednesday afternoon is urged to contact the police immediately on 295-0011.
