Wake From Fishing Boat Caused Regatta Training Boat To Capsize

KUCHING, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The boat that capsized during a regatta training session in Sungai Sarawak near the Royal Bay Commercial Centre, Jalan Buruh Bintawa here was believed to have been caused by a wake from a fishing boat that was heading in the opposite direction.

According to Kuching district police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah, the wake caused the regatta boat carrying 16 participants, who were Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) staff, to take on water.

“So, the water that entered the regatta boat caused it to capsize and all 16 participants onboard tried to escape.

“A total of 11 male participants managed to save themselves, but five others are still missing,” he told reporters at the search and rescue operation centre at Royal Bay Commercial Centre here today.

The search effort that began at 4.37 pm and ended at around 7.30 pm involved 12 agencies with eight assets and two ambulances, he said, adding that the search would resume at 6.00 am tomorrow, and will be concentrated in two areas.

“The second day of the search tomorrow will be divided into two areas, from the location of the incident towards the estuary, heading to the sea, and the other from the estuary inward.

“We will be assisted by local fishermen and we urge those who wish to help to be coordinated by the police,” he said, as he advised the public not to speculate on the incident.

Mohd Farhan Lee said that all participants involved were training for the highlight of the Regata Sarawak-Kuching Waterfront Festival 2024, scheduled for Nov 1 to 3.

“Following this incident, we will also monitor the situation and other regatta teams that are training are urged to focus on safety and to wear lifejackets during training sessions,” he said.

The five missing were previously identified by a Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department operations centre spokesman as Mohamad Ikhmal Sama'ail, Majurie Maharuf, Mohd Afiq Isyamudin Asaari, Mohamad Khairul Bidin and Muhammad Khairul Hisyam Kasturi, aged 22 to 35.

-- BERNAMA