Department of Public Safety acting spokesman Sgt. Thomas A. Blas Jr. said the search for Jianke Li ended at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities learned that Jianke Li arrived on Saipan in March 2005 and was employed at a charcoal making company.
“Mr. Li Jianke is currently under the ‘umbrella’ status. [He] was last seen wearing short pants and a white t-shirt,” Blas said.
The remains of Jianke Li’s companion Jian Sheng were recovered on late Monday afternoon after they both failed to return home on Sunday.
The search teams were not able to find any signs of Jianke Li as of late Wednesday, Blas said.
DPS Fire Search and Rescue Unit and the Boating Safety Dive Rescue Team conducted the cliff line, land and sea search at Naftan Point since Monday.
The Emergency Management Office, the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Washington assisted in the search. The Coast Guard also deployed its helicopter and conducted an aerial search, Blas said.
“The Criminal Investigation Bureau has been investigating this case and has been in communication with family members and friends of the two fishermen,” Blas said.
Near drowning
In other news, tourist nearly drowned at Managaha yesterday morning.
Blas said Shi My Lam, 54, a Chinese national, was still under observation after being revived at the Commonwealth Health Center where she received on-scene first aid intervention.
Blas said a man informed DPS that an ambulance was needed at the Smiling Cove Marina for the victim at about 9:34 a.m. yesterday.
Preliminary investigation by Boating Safety Officer Jimmy Sablan showed that prior to the incident, the 54-year-old victim was swimming with her two children.
Later, Blas said, the victim was seen floating face down in the water.
“Life guards responded and brought the victim to shore where she was given [first] aid and was placed in the recovery position,” Blas said.
The victim was then secured on a spine board and was transported by boat to the Smiling Cove Marina.
She was taken to CHC where she was revived by Dr. Greg Kotheimer.
