Search For Missing Thai Fishing Vessel Crewman Off Sungai Yan Kechil Estuary Called Off

ALOR SETAR, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- The Search and Rescue (SAR) operation for a crew member of a local fishing vessel near the Sungai Yan Kechil estuary has been called off after no new leads were found.

Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak said the operation, which began on Monday, was called off at 7.30 pm yesterday.

“The Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) received a distress call at 11 pm last Sunday, stating that a 42-year-old Thai national had fallen into the sea 21.1 nautical miles southwest of the Sungai Yan Kechil estuary.

“The SAR operation was activated at 3.15 pm on Monday, and the PERKASA 1226 patrol boat along with the PENGGALANG 40 boat from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) were immediately deployed to the location,” she said in a statement today.

The operation was also assisted by the Marine Police Force (PPM) and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).

Noor Azreyanti reminded those planning to engage in sea activities to ensure they were in good health and to take necessary safety precautions, such as wearing a life jacket, checking weather forecasts, ensuring the boat was in good condition, and carrying a personal locator beacon.

She also urged the public to report any emergencies or accidents at sea via the 999 emergency line or by contacting the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 04-7310579.

-- BERNAMA