GEORGE TOWN: An Indonesian fisherman who went missing after the fishing boat he was on capsized near Muka Head, Teluk Bahang early Thursday morning (Oct 8) has been found safe.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director for Penang, Kapt Hamizan Harun, said Sapta Pratama Putra, 25, was found adrift near a fish cage in Pulau Betong at 8.20pm on Thursday.
The fisherman was found by the owner of the fish cage, who alerted the authorities, he said.
"After receiving the reports, a rescue boat was dispatched to the location to retrieve the victim.
"The victim was still wearing his life jacket when he was rescued and has been brought to Batu Maung Jetty before being handed over to the police for further action," he said.
He added that the life jacket worn by the victim helped him stay afloat a little longer, and that saved his life.
A search-and-rescue operation (SAR) had been coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Langkawi which involved several assets from MMEA, marine police, and Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) to help the fishing crew when their boat sank at 2.25am.
Local fishermen from around the area also assisted in the SAR.
In the incident, three of the local fishermen were rescued but one of them, the leader of the crew, died.
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