Body of Russian national found floating in bay

THE body of a Russian national was found floating in the water near the guano island outside Walvis Bay last Friday.

The 47-year-old man was identified as Victor Lata by the crew of the ship he was working on. He was found floating in the water at 16h30 dressed in blue jeans, a grey t-shirt and white takkies.Chief Inspector Sydney Philander, Erongo Regional Crime Co-ordinator, said Lata had gone missing from the trawler the night before his body was found.However, the crew did not report his missing to the Police.The fishing trawler, named Hunter, was anchored in the bay at the time of the incident.Philander told The Namibian that it looked like Lata fell overboard.”No foul play is suspected at the moment.It does not look like there was a fight or struggle on board,” Philander said.The vessel’s agent declined to comment on the incident, saying he was awaiting the conclusion of the Police investigation.The agent, from Anchor Marine Services, said Lata was the chief radio operator on the trawler.He said the vessel was in the bay for a crew change.He was found floating in the water at 16h30 dressed in blue jeans, a grey t-shirt and white takkies.Chief Inspector Sydney Philander, Erongo Regional Crime Co-ordinator, said Lata had gone missing from the trawler the night before his body was found.However, the crew did not report his missing to the Police.The fishing trawler, named Hunter, was anchored in the bay at the time of the incident.Philander told The Namibian that it looked like Lata fell overboard.”No foul play is suspected at the moment.It does not look like there was a fight or struggle on board,” Philander said.The vessel’s agent declined to comment on the incident, saying he was awaiting the conclusion of the Police investigation.The agent, from Anchor Marine Services, said Lata was the chief radio operator on the trawler.He said the vessel was in the bay for a crew change.