RELATIVES of Well Service Petroleum Ltd worker Pete Phillip had a difficult time celebrating Christmas, knowing he was supposed to return from offshore duty on December 25.

Phillips, 47, had planned spend Christmas with his wife Kandasie, 34, and their four children- Jesiah, 13, Justin, 11, Jelicia, nine and Giselle, three.

Phillip's relatives spent their Christmas, hoping and praying that he would be found alive, after he went missing on December 22 while working offshore on the company's Rig 110.

The rig, which had a crew of 75 workers (including Phillip) experienced a partial collapse around 3.09 am on December 22.

Phillip was reported missed while another worker was injured when the incident happened.

His 74 fellow co-workers were successfully evacuated from the rig.

When Newsday went to Phillip's home on December 25, the house and the front gate to the property were locked.

Only the family's dog was present, walking around the front yard.

Newsday was told by some neighbours that the family went to stay with other relatives while they awaited word about ongoing efforts to find Phillips.

"It's real hard you know," said one man who declined to give his name.

A parlor owner, who lived nearby directed Newsday to another house on George street where more of Phillip's relatives lived.

At this house, some relatives were upset because Phillip was supposed to come home for Christmas.

One female relative said, "He was supposed to come today. Today is the day he is supposed to come home."

She added that Phillip planned to spend Christmas with his family.

This relative lamented that his wife Kandasie and children had to go through the ordeal of waiting to know what happened to him.

"It's tough for that young lady. I am so hurt for her. Very, very hurt because of her situation."

She said Phillip's family is spending Christmas with another relative who is "trying his best to make them comfortable."

The relative also empathised with Kandasie who is pregnant.

She said Well Services and Heritage Petroleum officials have been in constant communication with the family and other relatives about efforts to find Phillip.

"So far the latest is that they already went through an area (in the collapsed part of the rig) that was 60 per cent of that area."

The remaining 40 per cent of this area was supposed to be searched on December 25.

She said, "They have started already."

The relative was optimistic the family could know later in the day where Phillip was.

She said they were praying he will be found alive.

"We are hoping for the positive today."

Another female relative said she also empathised with Phillip's wife and children.

"They have it horrible. It is gut wrenching and really horrible."

Both relatives said other family members were down in Pt Fortin at the Trinmar Marine Base, awaiting news about Phillip.

They said officials from Well Services have come in-person to give the family updates.

Efforts to find Phillip have continued non-stop.

In a statement, Herita