SIX-HOUR SUSPENSE: They managed to make it back to shore in their damaged trawler after a speedboat rammed into them
KOTA TINGGI: TWO fishermen from Kampung Bukit Raja survived at sea after a speedboat crashed into their fishing trawler in the waters of Tompok Utara, about 12 nautical miles from Tanjung Penyusop in Pengerang, here on July 4.
The fishermen, Abd Malik Abd Rahim, 50, and his brother-in-law Mohamad Nazri Rahim, 23, were feared missing after the recent 6.30am incident.
However, after being stranded at sea for close to six hours, both victims made it safely back to the Sungai Rengit jetty in their damaged trawler by 12.15pm.
Abd Malik said he was fishing in the waters when he saw a speedboat approaching their boat at high speed while Nazri was asleep.
“I jumped into the waters before the speedboat rammed into our trawler. It then fled. I panicked when I called out to Nazri and there was no reply,” he recalled.
Abd Malik said he had to swim for about 30 minutes before he made it back to the trawler.
He was shocked to see that Nazri was still sleeping.
“I immediately woke Nazri up and he was surprised to see me all wet as he was not aware of the accident and did not realise that our trawler had been rammed,” said Abd Malik.
“We managed to contact a friend before repairing the rear-end of the trawler which was damaged during the incident.”
The fishermen, who escaped injuries, managed to make it back to the Sungai Rengit jetty where many Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel were awaiting them.
MMEA southern region enforcement chief, First Admiral Adon Shalan, said the agency had dispatched a speedboat and vessel with 30 personnel in a search-and-rescue operation for them.
“Based on initial information relayed, both the fishermen were feared missing after a speedboat collided with their fishing trawler, causing the latter to suffer damage,” he said, adding that the search-and-rescue operation was called-off at 1.20pm.
Syed Ben Bella Syed Al-Habshee (left), special officer to Member of Parliament for Tenggara, presenting some financial assistance to Abd Malik Abd Rahim. Looking on are Mohammad Nazri Rahim and Abd Malik’s wife and daughter.
Abd Malik Abd Rahim hugging his wife and daughter upon arriving back safely at Sungai Rengit jetty. Pix by Fahmi Yusof
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