KOTA KINABALU: Life jackets were among the objects spotted by rescuers in Semarang waters during a search mission for six people, whose tourist boat capsized en route to Pulau Mengalum on January 28.
However, it could not be immediately confirmed whether the items are related to the sunken catamaran.
Rescuers had on Wednesday spotted a life jacket within Semarang waters, and another one yesterday also within the same location. They retrieved the objects and alerted the police for immediate investigation.
Other objects retrieved include a buoy and pieces of wood.
Today, rescuers will train their search for the six - five Chinese tourists and one boat crew - within a 1,650 sq nautical mile search area here and in Labuan.
The search area in Sabah and Labuan waters has been narrowed down based on wind and movement of currents, bringing the overall search zone to 2,990 sq nautical miles.
This includes the waters of Sarawak (750 sq nautical miles) and Brunei (590 sq nautical miles).
Based on the currents, Kota Kinabalu Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director First Admiral Adam Aziz said it was possible for the missing six to be within Semarang waters.
“The current is moving from north to south, with waves between 2.5 and 3.5m high. The wind is blowing between 40 and 50 km per hour from the northeast.
“We are narrowing our search area here to give focus, especially in Semarang waters, based on the sea and wind factors.”
On Jan 28, a catamaran boat ferrying 31 people to Pulau Mengalum failed to reach the island when it capsized. Two crew members, including the boatman, were rescued near Pulau Tiga the following day.
A total of 23 tourists were later found in Semarang waters. Three however, died in the incident.