An aerial view of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Photo: Supplied/ MSchlauch - public domain
Four Papua New Guinea fishermen have been missing since early last week.
The National reports the four men, aged between 18 and 35, left Hanuabada in Port Moresby around 10am on February 7.
The newspaper reported Motu-Koita Assembly chairman Dadi Toka Jr saying that search parties sent out since Tuesday last week had come back "unsuccessful".
The National Maritime Safety Authority, Water Police and villagers along the coast have also been involved in the search.
"(They are) family men (who) went trolling last Tuesday as any fishermen would do because that was their bread and butter. But the weather was not kind," Toka said.
The wife of one of the men told The National she just wanted her husband to return home to her and their young daughter.
"I have been crying since they started the search and all I want is for Gaba to return home to us," she said.
Toka said the search extended down the south-eastern coast with searchers using 20 dinghies.
"Since they went trolling, and if there was engine failure, we assume they were pushed down towards Hula, Aroma Coast in Central or the border (with) Milne Bay," Toka said.
Defence Force commander Mark Goina, assisted by Australian Defence Force's Travis Gordon, plan to organise an aerial search.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has warned people planning on going out to sea to be wary.
