SANTUBONG – The search-and-rescue (SAR) operation for five anglers who went missing last Sunday ended yesterday.
The unanimous decision to stand down after a futile seven-day search was made by the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) in Kuching, the Borneo Post reported today.
State Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director First Admiral Zin Azman Md Yunus told a press conference that the MRSC will be reactivated once new clues on the missing boat surface.
He said the SAR operations covered 3,144 nautical square miles to date, adding that MMEA ships, KM Cekal and KM Sri Aman, will continue to monitor the search at sea.
The SAR operations had covered a more than 15 nautical mile radius from Tg Sipang, and included areas near Besi Buruk, Tg Sipang, Karang Berumput, Tukun Bass, Pulau Lakei, Pulau Satang, Pulau Sampadi and Batu Mandi.
It was also reported that searches along the coastlines from Tg Sipang to areas near Pulau Satang and from Tg Sipang to Tg Po were conducted yesterday.
The SAR operations involved 115 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, Police Air Wing Unit, Sarawak Marine Police and Sarawak Coast Guard.
Also in the search team yesterday were fishing boats from the maritime community, tasked with patrolling along the east coast of Tg Sipang.
Besides MMEA’s ships, assets in the operation included a Fire and Rescue Department helicopter, a CE408 police aircraft and several boats from various agencies.
The five anglers had set off to sea from Jeti 98 Fishing Village in Santubong about 5pm on October 1.
They failed to return after heading out to sea to fish in the waters between Karang Berumput and Tukan Bass about 9.3 nautical miles from Santubong, located on the Damai Peninsula, 35km from Kuching.
The only clue uncovered so far by the SAR team is an orange buoy, believed to be from the missing boat.
The missing anglers are Khamizan Saidi, 40 (skipper); Ng Ching Hui, 36; Christopher Teo, 32; Yap Tze Kang, 41; and, Leo Dy Lee Jiann Tarn, 35. – The Vibes, October 10, 2021
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