ALOR STAR – A Thai crew member of a Malaysian fishing boat who fell into the sea during a fishing activity off Pulau Bidan last Thursday was found drowned today.
Kuala Kedah Maritime director Noor Azreyanti Ishak said the body of Donbagee Tingsa, 33, was found at 8.30am about 2.0 nautical miles off Pulau Bidan.
“The body was taken to the Sg Udang Yan jetty and handed over to police for further action,” she said in a statement today.
The victim was realised missing by the boat skipper while they were conducting fishing activity about 1.8 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Bidan at about 2.25pm last Thursday, after which the captain lodged a report.
Following the report, the Langkawi Maritime rescue sub-centre (MRSC) activated a search-and-rescue operation, which also involved the Marine Police Force, Civil Defence Force, and local fishing boats.
Noor Azreyanti advised those doing activities at sea to take safety measures such as wearing a life jacket, referring to the weather forecast and ensuring the boat is in good condition before leaving for the sea, and having a personal locator beacon with them.
She also advised the public to report any emergency or accident at sea via the 24-hour emergency line MERS 999 or the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone operations centre at 04-731-0579. – Bernama, May 13, 2023