SAVED: The SRB officers helping the passengers.
KAPIT: The quick actions of Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) staff Mohammad Annuar and Shapiee Ali saved the lives of five passengers of an overturned longboat on Monday.
SRB officer in charge Hazizan Sapiee said Mohammad and Shapiee were on routine patrol when they spotted the longboat — which was on its way from here to Rumah Pasang, Nanga Ensilai — overturn due to waves caused by a larger passing vessel.
They quickly threw lifebuoys to the five struggling passengers, including 12-year-old Sian Salina and Jeti Paing, in his 70s, who could not swim.
The duo, along with Anding Sungong (59), Jalong Anding (31), and Herma Kamu (25), had earlier been in Kapit town to sell jungle produce and purchase necessities.
SRB later helped to transport all five passengers back to their longhouse in a patrol boat.
When contacted, Tuai Rumah Pasang Dupa said he was very grateful to the SRB officers for saving his longhouse folk.
He praised SRB’s good work and also reminded his longhouse folk to take all necessary precautions to prevent another such incident from occurring.
Riverine transport safety has been in the headlines recently due to the sinking of an express boat in Belaga District on May 28.