KUCHING: Search and rescue (SAR) operations coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Kuching together with several other government agencies continue to be carried out in Santubong, here and Kuala Serupai, Bintulu.
MMEA Sarawak director Zin Azman Md Yunus said the operation in Santubong, entered its third day today (Jan 6) and no new clues as of 12pm.
He said the operation on Wednesday covered an area of 50 square nautical miles, starting from Muara Tebas to Tanjung Sipang and Pulau Satang, involving a total of 137 officers including villagers.
“For the search on the shoreline of the mangrove swamp, PDRM has used a section from the PGA (General Operations Force) and we also conducted a search through air monitoring with the help of a Cessna Caravan aircraft from the PDRM Air Operation Force,” added Zin.
In another development, SAR operation in Kuala Serupai Bintulu entered its sixth day, but no new clues were found as of 12pm today. The area of the search sector was 280 square nautical miles in the sea including search in the coastal area between the estuary of Sungai Batang Balingian to Kuala Tatau with 85 officers and members involved including local villagers, he explained.
He said both SAR operations began as early as 7am and were coordinated by MRSC Kuching (Malaysian Maritime) alongside PDRM, Marine Police Force, Bomba, Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department and Civil Defence Force (APM).
He urged the maritime community to avoid going out to sea during bad weather.
“Should there be an urgent need to go out to the sea, prioritise safety by always wearing a safety jacket given the bad weather conditions at sea during this time,” he cautioned.
