KOTA KINABALU: A stroke of luck came for four individuals, including a young boy, when a vessel from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) happened to be nearby after their boat capsized in the waters off Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu district.
At approximately 1pm on Tuesday (Aug 29), three women and a 10 to 40-year-old boy were onboard a pump boat when it overturned due to rough seas and strong winds in Kampung Puyut waters.
Nik Mohd Rizam Nik Mohd Fauzi, Director of Lahad Datu MMEA, stated that a patrol boat in the vicinity spotted the incident and quickly rushed to assist.
“The victims were promptly rescued without any injuries,” he stated in a press release on Wednesday (Aug 30).
MMEA personnel helping a victim to safety.
“It is believed that they were not wearing life jackets,” he added.
Mohd Rizam called on the public, especially those engaging in maritime activities, to prioritize their safety.
“Life jackets should always be prepared, particularly during water-related activities or in areas prone to emergency situations,” he advised.
He also urged the maritime community to report any incidents at sea or suspicious activities to the MMEA by calling the 24-hour Lahad Datu MMEA office at 089-885727 or the Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 number.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
