KUCHING: Rescuers have found no clue to a diver feared drowned near Satang Island as the search and rescue (SAR) operation entered its fourth day today (Apr 21).
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak deputy director of Operations Captain Yousry Yaali said the search area on Wednesday covered an area of 80.72 square nautical miles around the waters of Pulau Satang Besar involving MMEA and Marine Police (PPM) assets, air search by Police Air Wing Unit (PGU) assets and Civil Defence Force (APM) drones.
“The PPM diving team also conducted a search at the location where the victim was said to have gone missing, while the State Fire and Rescue (Bomba) team conducted search around the waters of Pulau Satang Besar.
“As of 11.00am, rescuers have not yet found any clues regarding the victim. MMEA and the PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) are still in the process of collecting information related to the causes of the incident,” he told a press conference today.
Captain Yousry said the victim’s brother claimed to have tried to contact MMEA last Saturday to report the incident and seek help, but his call went unanswered.
“I am happy to explain here that the line he contacted is not the 24-hour emergency line which is 082-432544 (MMEA operations centre) or MERS 999,” he said, adding that the SAR operation was activated after a report of the incident was received from Bomba operations centre.
However, he said the SAR operations were unable to be conducted on the night of the incident due to poor visibility, insufficient information on the victim’s last known location and the possibility of boat movement causing danger and harm to the victim when afloat.
“On the morning of April 18, we received more detailed information on the victim’s last known location through a police report made by another complainant received at about 8.30am. The information was very helpful in launching the SAR operation,” he explained.
Fielding questions from reporters, Captain Yousry said divers are typically encouraged to use the buddy system by having divers dive in a group of two or more which could ease the rescue process during an emergency.
“Because of the relatively open sea in the area, the closest land is Kampung Satang, 23 nautical miles or about 43km away.
“With relatively open sea conditions, currents and winds, the possibility of drifting is large as well as having threats from sea creatures.
“Divers are also usually equipped with a float and lifeline so we are able to know where the divers are moving and their exact location in the water,” he said.
