MUARA TEBAS: Four fishermen clinging onto a log for four hours after their boat sank about 3.5 nautical miles from Tanjung Po, were rescued by another fisherman last Thursday (Mar 11).
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak director First Admiral Zin Azman Md Yunus said the local fishermen aged between 26 and 56, were rescued around 12.55pm after a fisherman who was passing through the area, spotted the four men clinging on the floating log for dear life.
“They were later brought to the Tun Abang Salahuddin Maritime Complex (Komtas) for health check-up before being taken to Bako health clinic.
“The four men who were healthy and did not sustain any injuries, were allowed to return home by the clinic after examinations,” he said.
According to the fishermen, they went out to sea on a Class B fisherman’s boat from Kampung Beladin jetty around 4am.
At about 8am, big waves suddenly hit their boat which caused it to sink.
All of them were not able to put on their life jackets on time and instead, clung to a log for about four hours before being rescued by another boat passing through the area.
Zin advised the maritime community to cancel any intention of going out to sea if the weather conditions are bad.
“If it is urgent to go out to the sea, they should prioritise safety by always wearing a safety jacket given the weather conditions during this time is not good,” he said.
