Shahref (seated centre) chairing the press conference.
KUCHING: Twelve local anglers were rescued Saturday after becoming stranded at sea when their vessel ‘Sea Wonder’ stalled some 40 nautical miles from Tanjung Sirik.
The anglers and their vessel were brought to the Tun Salahuddin Maritime Complex in Muara Tebas, near here at 9.20pm by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel, who located the stranded group earlier in the day around 11am.
The fishing vessel was reported missing a day earlier on Friday, with its last known location roughly 82 nautical miles northeast of Tanjong Po.
Tan Kian Leong
One of the anglers Tan Kian Leong, 32, said the entire group was relieved and grateful to MMEA for the rescue.
“We were worried by the possibility of being hit by bad weather while stranded in the middle of the sea.
“No one panicked, but everyone was worried of how our family members would react knowing that we were faced with such a situation.
“Most of us have been on numerous fishing trips but this was the first time being stranded in the middle of the sea.
“However, this ordeal will not stop my passion for fishing,” he said.
Phoo Kie Kuang
Skipper Phoo Kie Kuang, 52, said a faulty flywheel had affected other components of the vessel’s engine.
“It was a flywheel problem and, coincidentally, the radio for the vessel was also not working due to a broken battery connector.
Phoo added that he had faced similar mishaps previously in his 20 years as a fishing boat skipper, and was confident that everyone would be safe and be rescued.
MMEA district director Shahref Steve Mac Queen Abdullah, meanwhile, said no injuries were reported during the rescue operation.
He pointed out that the fishing vessel was not equipped with satellite telephone facility, making it difficult to communicate with in the event of an emergency.
“It is advisable for fishing enthusiasts and boat operators to notify the agency (MMEA) and provide complete information such as the schedules, location, crew and passenger names, as well as contact numbers before heading out to sea.”
The anglers arriving at the Tun Salahuddin Maritime Complex jetty in Muara Tebas.