KOTA KINABALU: Two local fishermen were rescued after their boat sank in choppy seas off the waters off Pulau Berhala in Sandakan.
The duo, Fadzier Salleh, 36, and his friend Roslee Awang, 43, were rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) after they heard the fishermen shouting for assistance at about 10.50pm on Saturday (Dec 23).
Sandakan Maritime Zone director Capt Zainudin Mohd Zuki said Sunday (Dec 24) that the MMEA personnel carrying out patrols at the MMEA jetty area heard the shouts for help.
He said they immediately launched the 'searchlight' and located the victims' location about 0.29 nautical miles (about 500 metres) south of Pulau Berhala which was not far from the Sandakan Maritime Jetty.
A boat was dispatched to the area and the two victims were rescued but they could not salvage their boat.
Zainudin said that the two local fishermen were not wearing life jackets when the high waves and strong currents caused their boats to capsize and sink.
"The fishing community must not be complacent and should take measures, especially during the current North East Monsoon season where weather conditions could be uncertain," he said.
Public was advised to contact the Sandakan Maritime Zone's 24-hour operations room at 089-229504 or MERS 999 in the event of any emergency at sea.
