KOTA KINABALU: Wearing life jackets and smartly clinging to rocks by the shore in waters off Mengalum Island here saved four anglers from drifting further out to sea after their boat capsized.
The four – Azmain bin Nulhassan, 23, Al Asim Nasir, 23, Mohammad Fikhri Amri, 22 and Muhammad Aqil Abu Bakar, 22 – were fishing off the island when choppy waters pushed their boat close to some large rocks on Thursday (Dec 15) morning.
Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director for Sabah and Labuan, First Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, said in a statement on Friday (Dec 16) that their boat hit the rocks and sprang a leak.
Water quickly filled the boat and it capsized, he said, adding that the anglers quickly donned their life jackets when their vessel hit the rocks.
They then swam towards the shore and held tightly on to the rocks there before calling for help, he said.
First Adm Mohd Rosli said a distress call was received at 11.20am and a patrol vessel was sent to assist.
He said the victims were rescued at around 12.50pm and were taken back to the Jesselton Point Jetty.
He said they sustained minor cuts and bruises in the incident.
First Adm Mohd Rosli urged the public to be alert to current weather conditions and be prepared when going out to sea.
He also reminded them to always have their life vests on and ensure that their boats are in good condition, and to also bring along personal locator beacons in case of emergency.
“It is also important to keep your friends and family informed of your location and activities to facilitate search and rescue operations should anything happen," he added.
He also called on the public to report any criminal or suspicious activities at sea, apart from emergencies, to the MMEA operations call centre at 088-387774 or 999 (MERS).
