The fishing boat pictured here in good condition before it capsized 9.6 nautical miles south-west of Parit Hailam, Batu Pahat on Sept 14.
BATU PAHAT: Two fishermen have been rescued while two others are still missing after their boat capsized in Parit Hailam waters here.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Batu Pahat zone director Maritime Commander Mohd Haniff Mohd Yunus said the boat capsized 9.6 nautical miles (about 17.8km) south-west of Parit Hailam at around 5pm on Wednesday (Sept 14).
“The four local fishermen had cast their nets when bad weather hit.
“Strong currents caused the boat to capsize. The skipper and another fisherman managed to save themselves by jumping into the water but the other two, who were believed to be asleep at the time, were nowhere to be seen,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 15).
Cmdr Mohd Haniff added that the two survivors, 40-year-old Te Chia Haur and Tee Kian Muar, 33, were saved by another boat nearby and brought to shore.
They were also given medical attention by a medical officer from Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail before going home to their respective families.
“When our team arrived in the area, the boat had already sunk.
“We have launched a search and rescue mission to look for the two missing fishermen, 38-year-old Te Chia Rong, who is Chia Haur’s younger brother, and Chia Hock Neng, 60.
“Chia Rong was last seen wearing a yellow T-shirt and black shorts while Chia (Hock Neng) wore a sleeveless black T-shirt and blue slacks,” Mohd Haniff said.
Those with information about the missing fishermen can get in touch with the Batu Pahat zone maritime operations centre at 07-434 4020 or the emergency hotline at MERS 999.
