KUCHING: Eight fishermen, a skipper and a crew are still missing at press time after their fishing vessel capsized this morning (Oct 2).
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak director, First Maritime Admiral Zin Azman Md Yunus confirmed that the incident happened about two nautical miles off Pulau Satang Besar, Telaga Air.
After a report on the incident was received, he said a rescue boat operating around Santubong waters rushed to the scene to carry out the initial search operation.
“A search and rescue (SAR) forward base was later set up at the Telaga Air public jetty around noon and other rescue agencies were informed of the incident,” he said.
Zin pointed out that the sea and weather conditions today (Oct 2) were slightly turbulent with wind speeds of 20 to 30km per hour and waves around 1.5 to two metres high.
The search focused on the last known location, about two nautical miles up to 20 nautical miles from the waters of Pulau Satang.
Zin added that four marine vehicles were involved in the operation, namely, Maritime Rescue Boat 8, two Marine Police PSC 11 and PA 1 vessels and a Petra Jaya fire station boat.
The search was suspended at 6.30pm with no clues yet of the victims’ whereabouts.
MMEA Sarawak advised the maritime community not to go out to the sea if the weather was bad.
“If it is urgent to go out to sea, always prioritise safety by wearing life jackets. The weather conditions right now are not looking good, especially with the Northeast Monsoon season now from Oct until Mar next year,” it said.
