SIBU, Jan 29 — Local fishermen rescued all the eight crew of a vessel which sank today about eight nautical miles from the Sungai Rajang estuary, according to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Sarawak MMEA director First Admiral (Maritime) Robert Teh Geok Chuan said the two Malaysians and six foreigners who were aboard the MV Bahagian Maju were brought to a jetty in Kabong and then sent to the Sibu Hospital.
He said the Malaysians were Ting Tiew Hing and Wong Sie Soon while the others were shipmaster Zaw Min Tun, a Myanmar; Vikram Chand, Rambau Landa, Tokito Khuwoto Chisi and Atchuta Rao Chepra of India as well as Suprayoga, an Indonesian.
The Kuching Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) received notification of a sinking vessel at 6.30am. MMEA vessel KM Semilang was mobilised to the location as soon as the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation was launched at 7am and focused on a five-nautical-mile radius north of the Sungai Rajang estuary.
The crew members, meanwhile, used a safety raft to escape from the vessel and were in touch on their mobile phones.
A team of five Fire and Rescue Department personnel involved in the SAR operation was forced to turn back when the boat they were in came across waves as high as 1.5 metres to 2.5 metres following strong north-easterly winds of 30km to 40km per hour.
The Health Department, police, Sarawak Rivers Board as well as fishermen from Tanjong Manis and Kuala Rajang also helped in the SAR operation. — Bernama
