Yacht Capsize: SAR Operation Resumes For Missing Turkiye National

KUALA TERENGGANU, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue (SAR) operation for Eser Demirkol, a Turkiye national who went missing after a yacht capsized in the waters off Pulau Yu, resumed today, focusing on a search area covering 305.41 square nautical miles.

Terengganu Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director, Maritime Captain Hamiludin Che Awang, said the operation began at 7 am and involved the deployment of both air and sea assets belonging to the agency.

“Today’s operation involved 29 personnel, utilising the MMEA’s Dauphin AS365 aircraft, the KM Sebatik patrol vessel, and the Penggalang 45 boat,” he said in a statement today.

He added that weather and sea conditions have so far been favourable, aiding the ongoing search efforts.

“The MMEA remains committed to continuing the search until the last missing victim is found,” he said.

Three Turkiye nationals - Ahmet Volkan Ata, 52, the yacht’s captain, along with Ates Demiroren and Eser Demirkol - were on board the yacht, Daisy, as part of a planned voyage that would take them from Malaysia back to Turkiye, beginning on Monday (July 28).

However, the yacht is believed to have capsized in the waters off Pulau Yu after being hit by a storm on Tuesday evening (July 29).

Ates Demiroren was found floating in the sea and rescued by local fishermen yesterday afternoon, while Ahmet Volkan Ata was found safe last night by another local fishing vessel, after spending nearly 43 hours adrift at sea.

-- BERNAMA