The search and rescue operation for the four men earlier today. – Picture by MMEA
KUCHING (Sept 17): The four fishermen, who were reported missing last night after their boat capsized at Tanjung Po, have been found on a floating clump of nipah trees by a fishing boat this evening.
The men, who were reported missing at about 9.15pm yesterday, were brought safely back to dry land at the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) base in Muara Tebas at about 6.40pm.
They were identified as skipper Bong Fah Yew, 48, and his crew members, Adenan Senawi, 44, Hardianto Abdullah, 42, and Ani, whose full name and age was not immediately available.
MMEA said in a press statement that they were informed by one of the survivors siblings at about 5.15pm that the men had been found and it despatched their vessel, KM Mengalum, to the location to rescue them.
“All are in good condition,” said Sarawak Maritime Director First Maritime Admiral Robert Teh Geok Chuan when contacted.
“They were found safe on the Nipah trees by a group of fishermen. They were later brought to the jetty at Muara Tebas and were given medical treatment by paramedics before being sent to the Sarawak General Hospital,” he said.
The fishermen had left for sea at around 3pm on Wednesday before their vessel capsized during a storm.
Earlier today, Richard Chee, 38, a former Navy personnel who was a member of the crew, was rescued at around 9am near Pulau Burung by a local fisherman after he was found floating inside a fish cooler box.
Chee was later sent to the Sarawak General Hospital for medical treatment.
Hardiyanto, when met after the rescue, said the five of them were not separated from each other and were in fact holding on one another for about 18 hours before they found the Nipah trees.
“I told the rest not to be separated from each other, before we asked Chee to get help,” he said.
Chee had suffered difficulty in breathing when he was found and his left hand was stung by jelly fish.
All of the victims had worn life jackets when the incident happened.
MMEA had launched a search and rescue operation for them after they received a report from a family member. Also involved in the operation were the marine police, Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force and the police air wing.