BINTULU: A search and rescue (SAR) operation for a missing Indian crew member of a tanker ship that capsized in Samalaju waters last Saturday (July 2), has been called off.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu director Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad in a statement, said the decision to end the search, was made at 5 pm on Yesterday (July 4) after failing to find any new leads in the three-day operation.
The three-day search covered an area of 695.85 square nautical miles in the waters off Samalaju, Beting Nyalau, and around an oil rig nearby.
“The Fire and Rescue Department’s air unit also assisted in the operation, but despite the efforts and help of various government agencies, the searchers did not find any clues such as oil spots and floating items belonging to Banga 2 tanker ship,” he said.
Himanshu Kumar went missing on July 1 about 40.2 nautical miles northwest of Bintulu.
Three survivors said the victim, who was last seen wearing a black and white shirt and a pair of dark-coloured trousers, had a life jacket on before he disappeared.
Throughout the search operation, various government assets were mobilised such as MI171 helicopter (Bomba Air Unit), KM Setia (MMEA), PSC 56 and PGR 32 boats (Marine Police), Beach Search boat (Bomba) along with assets from Samalaju Port, Petronas, and Shell Bintulu.
Despite the unfruitful search, a hopeful Mohd Khairol said his agency always welcomes information on emergencies at sea.
“Information can be given to us via MERS 999 or MMEA Bintulu operations centre at 086-314254 and the MMEA Sarawak operations centre at 082-432544/082-432016.
