GEORGE TOWN: Six avid anglers, who are reported missing at sea after they failed to return from their excursion yesterday, have been found safe this afternoon.
As of press time, their fibre boat is being towed to the Batu Maung jetty. They are expected to reach about 9pm.
State maritime director Captain Maritime Hamizan Harun said rescuers spotted them some 20 nautical miles off Pulau Kendi about 4.35pm, and about five nautical miles from their original position.
“Their boat experienced technical problem, causing them to be stranded mid-sea.
“We have managed to locate them and pulling their boat back to shore. All of them are reportedly safe,” he told newsmen here this afternoon.
Hamizan said besides a small and large boat, they also deployed the air unit for the search and rescue (SAR) mission.
Earlier today, it was reported that the SAR was launched after a relative of one of the missing men lodged a police report.
The Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Langkawi was activated when the report was received early this morning.
The missing have been identified as skipper Mohd Khairul Anuar Mohd Salleh, 30, Mohd Faiz Ibrahim, 30, Mohd Azmil Abdul Rahman, 31, Khairil Hafidzi Tajuddin, 31, Mohd Rajis Jamil, 35, and Lee Chee Sen, 49.
Since this morning, family members of those reported missing have been waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones at the Kampung Dato Keramat fishermen jetty in Nibong Tebal.
When news broke out that they have been found safe, Khairul’s mother, Rafiah Din, 60, cried tears of happiness and let out a huge sigh of relief.
“As soon as I got news that my son was among those missing, I took the first bus from Putrajaya to Penang.
“Throughout the journey, my heart was not at ease but I am grateful now that he and the others have been found safe,” she said.
Rafiah said Khairul, the youngest of three, was an experienced skipper, even in times of distress.