Another Sabah tugboat overturned in rough waters, 2 missing

SANDAKAN – Another tugboat has capsized off Kuala Meruap here due to bad weather this week, following Wednesday’s incident in Kinabatangan.

This time, one captain and three crew members were thrown into the sea yesterday at about 4am.

Two crew members were saved by fishermen who were passing by at about 6.30am. However the captain and remaining crew member are still missing.

The surviving crew members have been identified as Agus Bahtiar, 45 (Indonesian), and Oyong @ Herman, 35 (Filipino).

Sandakan Maritime Zone director Zainudin Mohd Zuki said the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation was activated at 7pm yesterday in search of the two victims, both Indonesians – identified as Andi Manso, 40 (captain) and Sindora, 42.

He said the SAR operation in its second day today is divided into six sectors, involving a search area of 175 square nautical miles.

The operation utilises six marine assets from the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, police, navy, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force.

In the first tugboat accident this week, the vessel sank due to rough seas at about 4am on Wednesday off Kinabatangan.

Two men survived the incident, while three others, including the captain, are still missing.

The SAR operation in search of the three victims is still active.

This morning, local villagers in Tambisan Island found a dead body of a male adult floating near the island.

The Sandakan Maritime Enforcement Agency said the body was found about 28.5 nautical miles from the location of the first tugboat accident (Kinabatangan), and nine nautical miles from the second incident (Kuala Meruap).

However, the body has not been identified.

Zainudin said the body was retrieved from sea at 11.30am today, and was handed to the police for identification and post-mortem.

He added that the two tragedies were due to bad weather, and said the SAR efforts have also been met with the same issue.

“The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency reminds the fishermen community to be alert of weather warnings and forecasts such as warnings of heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds by the Malaysia Meteorological Department.

“Avoid going out to sea when the weather is bad. Practise safety precautions when at sea,” he said.

He also asked for public members with information of the victims in both incidents to contact the Sandakan Maritime Zone hotline at 089-229-504 or Malaysian Emergency Response Services at 999. – The Vibes, January 16, 2021