Failure to wear safety jacket among reasons leading to death at sea — MMEA

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KUANTAN: Failure to wear the life jacket is among the reasons leading to the death of missing victims lost at sea, according to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

Regional Maritime Director First Admiral Datuk Mamu Said Alee said without the life jacket, the chance for them to survive in the water was normally minimal.

“This was supported by the MMEA inspection on small boats, where they were found to be less concerned on the aspect of personal safety, especially in the usage of the life jacket,” he told reportes after the opening of the 10th Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), here, yesterday.

The three-day programme organised to train and explain SAR procedures to the related agencies was participated by 350 personnel from 13 agencies, who would undergo among others land and sea simulation training. A total of 21 boats and ships were also involved.

Since MMEA was established in 2006, Mamu said the agency had handled 304 searh and rescue operations involving 1,033 victims reported missing at sea, of whom, 623 were successfully rescued, 129 died, while 279 were not found.

He said, those who could not be rescued were also due to sea and weather condition, the availability of appropriate assets as well as visibility.

Mamu said in SAR, timing was always important, where a report by the public on the incident concerned was important to ensure the victims’ survival.

“Our response time is within two hours after the incident happened, unfortunately, there were cases where we only received the report after five days,” he said.

Thus, he said, MMEA had organised several programmes to create awareness to the public on the matter such as the annual Preventive SAR programme, MMEA exhibition, and Friends of Maritime programme. — Bernama