MMEA rescues three anglers after boat capsize

0

KOTA KINABALU: Kudat Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel rescued three anglers after their boat capsized in heavy seas in the waters off Kota Marudu on Sunday.

Mohd Saderi Nurkin, 30, Fardarin Sunan, 39 and Joennie Jubili, 29, were, however, found safe and sound at a ‘bagang’ (structure erected at sea to lure fish) about five metres from where their boat had capsized.

MMEA Sabah and Labuan director Rear Maritime Admiral Mohd Zubir Mat Som said the incident occurred about midnight on Sunday.

“The MMEA Kudat operation room received a call from the district’s Fire and Rescue Services Department requesting for assistance in a search and rescue operation for the three anglers about 1.45 am.

“According to the department, the anglers were from Kampung Tandek in Kota Marudu and were heading out to a ‘bagang’ for fishing. Their boat reportedly capsized in bad weather and stormy sea,” he said.

Mohd Zubir said the MMEA Kudat immediately dispatched a boat to help out in the search and rescue operation.

“At about am, the search and rescue operation centre received information that the three anglers, who were wearing life vests, had managed to swim to a ‘bagang’ and were waiting there to be rescued,” he said, adding that MMEA’s boat went to pick up the anglers and with the assistance of local fishermen, secured and towed the capsized boat back to Tanjung Batu in Kota Marudu.