SANDAKAN: Five anglers were rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Malaysian Maritime) after the boat they were in capsized in the waters of Pulau Nunuyan, here, on Sunday.
Sandakan Maritime Zone Director Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said the five men, aged between 38 and 59, went out to fish around 6am on Sunday and were on their way back to shore in the evening when strong waves hit.
The choppy waters caused their boat to overturn and sink, throwing them all overboard.
An emergency signal was sent out, and maritime officials were alerted to the incident at 5.15pm.
Muhamad Suhairy said a response team was dispatched to search for the victims.
“The victims were quickly located, and they were rescued before being taken back to the Sandakan maritime jetty for further action,” he said, Monday, adding the men suffered minor injuries, cold and fatigue.
They were transported to a waiting ambulance for further examination upon arriving at the jetty.
Suhairy advised boat operators and the maritime community to prioritise safety whenever they go out to sea by ensuring that their boats are in good condition, safety equipment is complete and functioning, and they are aware of weather conditions.
It was also important to pay attention to vessels’ weight limits, he stressed, as this would help balance the vessel.
He said maritime officials are always prepared to face any eventualities and are committed to enhancing safety at sea.
“Contact us for any sea emergencies at 999 or the Sandakan Maritime Operations Centre at 089-229504 for assistance,” he added.
Parts of Sabah have been hit by thunderstorms and intermittent rain over the past week, and this is expected to continue for at least another week.
