JOHOR BARU: The search and rescue operation for the missing MT Putri Sea vessel and its crew members continued today with efforts being concentrated over a 35 square nautical miles area between waters off Tanjung Stapa and Teluk Ramunia.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Southern Region deputy director of operations Captain (Maritime) Sanifah Yusof said the operation involved assets and personnel from various agencies including MMEA, the Royal Malaysian Navy, marine police, the Marine Department and Johor Port.
"A total of seven assets and 50 personnel are involved in the operation," said Sanifah in a statement.
He said today's operation also includes measures to contain an oil spill and to place isolated danger buoy at locations where the vessel is believed to have sank.
"The cause of the incident is still being investigated and the Marine Department have issued a notice to identify the owner of the vessel," said Sanifah.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Equatorial Guinea-registered tanker had sank 4.6 nautical miles off Pengerang waters after an explosion where fire engulfed the vessel’s main engine room.
MMEA had said that they believed the ship had sunk based on a trail of fuel on the ocean’s surface.
There are six Indonesian crew members on board.