SARIKEI: Two fishermen, a father and son, have been reported missing while fishing in the waters off Kabong on Wednesday (Sept 3).
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Tanjung Manis Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Mahkos Juing, said that the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Kuching coordinated a search and rescue (SAR) operation after receiving an emergency call at 9.50am Thursday (Sept 4) morning.
"Acting on the information received, a MMEA patrol boat was deployed to the location to conduct the SAR operation," he said in a statement here on Thursday.
The victims were identified as Tuah Bujang, 57, and his son Mohd Aiman Tuah, 24, both from Kabong. They were supposed to return from sea on Wednesday evening but failed to do so.
The search focused on the area where the victims were believed to be missing, covering an area of 13.6 square nautical miles.
Those with information about the incident have been urged to contact the Tanjung Manis Maritime Zone operations centre at 011-3572 8765 or the emergency line 999 for an immediate response.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) operations centre confirmed that both victims went out to sea at 2pm on Wednesday to fish.
The statement said heavy rain and rough seas occurred around 5pm on the same day, and both victims could not be contacted, leading to a police report being made at the Kabong police station at 6.49am on Thursday requesting search and rescue assistance.
"The victims' boat was found by villagers at 9am at a distance of 5.5 nautical miles and has been towed to the Kabong jetty," it added. – Bernama
