Warship joins search for missing six

0
Abdul Rahman (left) and Norfazli checking the map of the SAR operation on board the KD Selangor. – Photo by Aniq Azraei.

Abdul Rahman (left) and Norfazli checking the map of the SAR operation on board the KD Selangor. – Photo by Aniq Azraei.

KOTA KINABALU: The KD Selangor is among the five vessels belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) involved in the search and rescue (SAR) operation of the remaining six missing people from the capsized catamaran in waters off Sabah.

KD Selangor, a warship based in Lumut Perak, has been involved in the SAR operation since Monday, including three other assets, namely KD Jerung, CB 205 and CB 211.

Journalists from several publications were allowed to participate in the 10-hour SAR operation, leaving the Sepanggar naval base at 7am yesterday.

RMN assets will cover about 400 square nautical miles in the SAR operation, namely Sector A, which is about 105 nautical miles from the naval base, and Sector E, which is about 45 nautical miles.

“This will make the SAR operation wider, allowing us to cover more areas,” said RMN Naval Region II and commander of the Submarine Force, Rear Admiral Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob.

Abdul Rahman said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) was leading the SAR operation and was being assisted by RMN.

“We are committed in helping in the SAR operation and we brought (in) KD Selangor as the ship is equipped with the latest equipment,” he said, adding that about 150 personnel were involved in the SAR operation.

Also present was KD Selangor commanding officer Commander Norfazli Jaafar.