BALIK PULAU – After miraculously surviving alone in rough seas for over 14 hours, Wan Mohizan Wan Hussein hopes that his story serves as an example of how important it is to use a life jacket.
The former photographer with a news daily was stranded after the fishing boat he was on capsized about 2.30pm yesterday.
Sharing his experience after being rescued, the 55-year-old father of six said he felt like he was at the end of his life when the vessel overturned.
He was some 2.5 nautical miles from Pulau Kendi, a rocky islet about 4km off the southwestern coast of Penang Island.
Wan Mohizan said he was preparing to return home after fishing when the anchor of the boat with a 40hp engine got stuck. The vessel was then struck by a big wave.
Fortunately, he was wearing a life jacket – like he always does when out at sea.
Wan Mohizan was able to stay afloat when the boat capsized. He clung on to the side of the vessel before climbing onto its upturned keel, where he waited to be rescued.
“I am very grateful for always wearing a safety jacket,” he said at his house in Taman Pondok Upeh here today.
“I also brought along other emergency equipment, such as waterproof flashlights.
“After the boat capsized, I managed to find a dry packet of biscuits and a bottle of mineral water. The biscuits and mineral water saved me.”
Earlier today, the Penang Fire and Rescue Department’s operations centre spokesman announced that a fisherman reported missing in Pulau Kendi waters yesterday was rescued this morning.
Wan Mohizan was found by other fishermen about 4.30am, after a search-and-rescue operation was halted at midnight.
Wan Mohizan, who retired from The Star in 2017, said he spent hours using a flashlight to attract nearby fishermen’s attention, to no avail.
“At that time, I handed over my destiny to God.”
He said he did not panic, and that he is looking forward to going out to sea again.
“I do not have a phobia. I will go back out to sea after my boat is towed.”
His wife Jussmani Budin, 37, said she felt uneasy when her husband did not return on time or send her updates via WhatsApp like he usually would.
She said he would usually return from fishing about 4pm, and that she began to worry when his fishing friends told her that they, too, were waiting for him to return.
“I lodged a police report at 8pm, and we waited at the jetty until 1am.
“I was very grateful to find out that my husband returned safely.”
Jussmani admitted that she is anxious about Wan Mohizan going out to sea again. – The Vibes, October 13, 2021
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