SIBU: An express passenger boat plying the Sibu-Kanowit-Song-Kapit route leaked while it was here last Sunday due to a puncture in its hull.
Based on reports received by the Fire and Rescue Services Department (Bomba) operations control centre from the public, the boat started leaking around 10am.
Upon being alerted, the skipper quickly diverted the boat to Kanowit Jetty where he directed all the 20 passengers on board to disembark.
The passengers were later put on a replacement boat to continue their journey.
Later the express boat was pulled closer to the riverbank to prevent it from completely sinking.
The fire department said they only came to know about the leak when they received pictures of the boat on WhatsApp, partly sinking by the riverside.
They immediately rushed a team of personnel to the scene to verify it.
The team found it was a genuine case and the boat was partially submerged.
They ended their operation at 3.20pm.
