KOTA TINGGI: About 70 fishermen on 18 boats are helping with the search and rescue efforts for the missing nine Royal Malaysian Navy sailors, off the coast of Tanjung Sedili.
Tanjung Sedili Fishermen Association chairman Majid Abdul Rahman said the fishermen took upon the initiative when they found out about the case early today.
“There are about eight deep sea boats and another 10 smaller boats out at sea that we have contacted. They have been told to keep a lookout for anything at sea which can help with the SAR effort,” said Majid at the Sedili District Fisheries Development Authority jetty.
He said the boats were divided into four zones, the north, east, west and south of Sedili waters.
“Some of these boats go as far out as 30 nautical miles from the coast, so we have told them to report back or share any information or if they spot anything suspicious to help with the search,” he said.
The nine Royal Malaysian Navy sailors were reported missing after an operation against illegal fishing activities about 29 nautical miles off Tanjung Sedili in Johor on Saturday.
The 1pm incident involved one officer and eight other personnel of other ranks, who were a part of the RMN’s first fast-attack craft (missile) KD Perdana’s boarding team.
In a statement released by the RMN Naval Region 1 Base, KD Perdana was on its routine patrolling duties, sailing in waters off Tanjung Sedili, when they spotted foreign fishing vessels carrying out their activities in Malaysian waters.
KD Perdana was believed to have been chasing the vessels before it went missing.
The SAR mounted involved assets and personnel from RMN and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency as well as the Tanjung Sedili Fishermen Association.