By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 24: A search and rescue (SAR) operation is actively underway for the two remaining crew members of a local fishing vessel that is believed to have capsized near the waters of Pulau Burong.
The vessel, with six foreign nationals onboard—two Indonesians, three Cambodians, and a Thai—lost contact after heading out to sea on Dec 17.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak, along with the Marine Police, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), Civil Defence Force (APM), and police’s Air Operations Team (PGU), immediately initiated the SAR operation after a report was filed by a local complainant at 6.43pm on Monday (Dec 23).
According to Maritime Sarawak director First Admiral Kamal Ariffin Jusoh, a local fishing vessel rescued three crew members, aged between 23 and 32, who were found in the sea off Tanjung Sipang wearing life jackets.
The survivors were brought to Kampung Goebilt jetty near Sejingkat at approximately 6pm yesterday.
On the second day of the operation, a breakthrough occurred when another foreign national, estimated to be in his 30s, was found safe in the area of Sungai Serpan, Asajaya, Kota Samarahan.
Kuching District Police Chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah confirmed the discovery with all rescued victims reported to be exhausted but unharmed and have since been sent to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for treatment.
However, two crew members, aged between 37 and 64, are still missing, and the search continues with assistance from various agencies.
Authorities are urging vessels passing through Tanjung Sipang and surrounding coastal areas to report any sightings of the missing crew to the police.
For the record, the last known location of the vessel was 7.5 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Sipang, prior to experiencing a leak in the engine room.
Mohd Farhan has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information, as it could disrupt ongoing investigations and search efforts.
The police have also called on the public to provide any relevant information by contacting Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Steward Albert at 013-7595095 or the Kuching IPD Control Center at 082-24444.
A Maritime SAR forward base has been established at the Tun Abang Salahuddin Maritime Complex, Sarawak Maritime Headquarters, Muara Tebas starting today.
Maritim Malaysia has expressed its commitment to being on standby for any situation, including providing assistance to the maritime community, even in challenging sea conditions.
For any information, complaints, or maritime emergency incidents, the public can contact the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre / MRSC Kuching at 082-432006 or the emergency line 999 for immediate response.
The SAR operation will continue until the remaining two crew members are located. — DayakDaily
