Missing crewmen found safe off Kuala Miri

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The two who were forced to dock in the middle of the sea due to damage to their boat engine.

MIRI: Two local crew members of a fishing boat bearing registration number SF3-1232, who went missing after the boat suffered damage to its engine parts on Tuesday, were found safe and well at about 43 nautical miles from Kuala Miri yesterday morning.

Awangku Azman Abd Razak, aged 51 and Mohammed Aman Riduan, 39 had boarded the fishing boat on Jan 15 to send food supplies to a ship located at a site of 66 nautical miles from Kuala Sungai Miri.

Miri Maritime Enforcement Agency District 13 (MMEA DM13) director Captain Md Fauzi Othman said the agency received a report regarding the missing fishing boat with two local crewmen on board yesterday morning.

“The two men had boarded a fishing boat bearing registration number SF3-1232 for the purpose of sending food supplies to the MK4 vessel , 66 nautical miles from Kuala Sungai Miri.

“They were supposed to return home after sending food supplies at about 12am, but failed to be contacted by their family members as well as their employers,” said Md Fauzi in a press statement yesterday.

On Jan 16, at approximately 3.25pm, Miri Maritime Zone Operation Centre received a complaint from one of the men’s wife, according to Md Fauzi.

“The Miri Maritime Zone Operation Centre later activated a search and rescue operation by directing the Rescue Boat 9 with six members to rush to the scene,” he said.

At about 11am yesterday (Jan 17), the fishing boat was successfully discovered by Sealink Vanessa 10 vessel at a location of approximately 43 nautical miles from Kuala Sungai Miri, he revealed.

“The vessel SF3-1232 was confirmed damaged at its engine and battery parts, while both victims are safe and in good condition,” he added.

The Rescue Boat 9 then brought both victims back to Marina Bay here, while the owner of the fishing boat has managed to bring the vessel back to Sungai Miri with the assistance of a tug boat.

Meanwhile, fishing enthusiasts are reminded to be more careful and be more sensitive to weather conditions which are quite uncertain and dangerous to small boats.

Md Fauzi said MMEA is always ready to receive any complaint and information on any incident at sea, and the public are welcome to contact the Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 085-418204.