The eight crewmen arrive in Kuala Kabong on the fishing boat, with their life raft in tow.
TANJUNG MANIS: Eight crewmen were rescued by local fishermen after their cargo vessel sank off Kuala Sungai Rajang here yesterday.
The incident happened about 6.30am when the crew, which included two Malaysians, was forced to abandon their sinking ship roughly eight nautical miles from Kuala Rajang.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Tanjung Manis station chief Razali Junis said a local fishing vessel rescued the victims from their life raft around 11.30am and brought them to the Kampung Kabong jetty, where they were then taken to the Kabong health clinic for a checkup.
The rescued crew members in a photo call after reaching dry land.
“A search-and-rescue team which was dispatched earlier to rescue the victims was forced to turn back due to rough sea condition.
“The operation was however called off after it was learned the victims had been saved by local fishermen, who brought them to Kuala Kabong at 1.45pm,” he said when contacted.
The eight victims were identified as Malaysians Ting Tiew Hing and Wong Sie Soon, shipmaster Zaw Min Tun from Myanmar, Indian nationals Vikram Chand, Rambau Landa, Tokito Khuwoto Chishi and Atchuta Rao Chepra, and Indonesian national Suprayoga.
Aside from Bomba, the rescue operation also involved the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), police, Health Department, Civil Defence Force (APM), and Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB).