GEORGE TOWN: Two men in their 30s nearly drowned after their sailboat's mast broke, leaving them to the mercy of rough seas and strong wind off the waters of Butterworth today.
In the 9pm incident, the men, aged 30 and 33, had gone out from the Bagan Ajam Butterworth Outer Ring Road rest area but lost control of their sailing vessel after its mast broke.
A failed diving apparatus onboard left them with no choice but to jump into the waters as their yacht sank slowly.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department officials said a team of seven men was dispatched to the scene following a distress call from one of the victim's father.
"The men were then found alive close to the waters of the North Butterworth Container Terminal some 30 minutes later," a fire department spokesman said when contacted.
They were given first aid treatment and were taken back home by their next of kin.