CHUKAI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has called off the search and rescue (SAR) operation for two fishermen feared missing after their boat sank in Kemaman waters, about 29 nautical miles east of Kuala Kemaman, last Wednesday (June 10).
Kemaman maritime zone director Maritime Commander Abdul Halim Hamzah said the seven-day SAR operation involved various assets and personnel from the MMEA, police, Fire and Rescue Department Air Unit, and the local fishing community.
He said intensive search efforts were carried out, covering designated areas based on incident information, current weather conditions, and analysis of sea currents and drift patterns.
"However, until the operation was called off, the two victims, boat skipper Azan Muda, 68, and crew member Nordin Mohammad, 61, had not been found.
"Following discussions with the agencies involved, the SAR operation was called off today," he said in a statement on Thursday.
Abdul Halim said that although the official operation had ended, the maritime community and fishermen in the area were urged to channel any leads or discoveries related to the missing victims to the authorities.
In the incident, a fishing boat carrying Azan, Nordin and Mahadi Jusoh, 51, sank during a storm at 12.30am. However, Mahadi was rescued by other fishermen at 10.30am last Thursday. - Bernama
