KOTA TINGGI: A passing vessel played a crucial role in the dramatic rescue of 30 Indonesian nationals after their boat capsized 19.3 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Penawar on Tuesday morning (May 20).
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Johor maritime operations deputy director Maritime Captain Kama Azri Kamil said the vessel was in the vicinity of the incident and immediately moved in to render assistance.
All 30 individuals were successfully pulled from the sea by the crew before maritime authorities arrived on the scene.
“MMEA then deployed several of its assets to the location to aid in the rescue operation where all 30 survivors have been transferred to the vessel,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 21)
Following the initial rescue, the MMEA and Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) launched a coordinated response.
The Johor Baru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC), which had been alerted by Basarnas in Tanjung Pinang at around 9am, activated a full search and rescue operation.
Kama Azri said MMEA deployed several of its assets to the scene and took over the care of the survivors, who had been safely taken aboard the vessel that had first responded.
Once all survivors were accounted for and the rescue efforts concluded, MMEA escorted the vessel to the maritime boundary with Indonesia, where the rescued individuals were handed over to Indonesian authorities.
Kama Azri praised the timely cooperation between Malaysian and Indonesian maritime agencies, stating: “This operation’s success is the result of strong cross-border cooperation and the quick action of everyone involved,” he said.
He added that MMEA remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard lives at sea and will continue joint operations with regional partners to enhance maritime safety.
