PASIR PUTIH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has conducted the search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate the missing crew member of a fishing vessel that capsized near Pulau Perhentian yesterday.
MMEA director-general Admiral (Maritime) Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the operation covered five nautical miles from the island and it started immediately after the agency received information on the incident.
"The MMEA has deployed its assets, including those from other agencies, to locate the missing crew member.
"The high waves of between 4.5 and 5.5m high and strong winds of 60 to 70 km p/h will be a challenge to the personnel, but this will not stop them carrying out from the operation," he said in a statement.
He said he was informed that the missing man, together with his four friends who were found safe earlier, were all wearing life jackets when the incident happened.
"I was also told that the four fishing crew managed to swim to safety to Perhentian Island, while the other man who is in his 40s, went missing.
"He is wearing an orange-coloured life jacket at that time the incident at 1pm," he said.
The five men from Tok Bali, Pasir Putih, went for fishing near the island when their boat capsized after being hit by the rough seas yesterday (Thursday).
Four of them were found safe today, while the fifth identified as Assaari Leh, 43, from Tumpat, is still unaccounted for.
Those found safe are boat skipper Tuan Azaha Tengku Long, 47, Mohd Azri Mohd Rosdi, 28, Tuan Azrizal Tuan Azhar, 19, and another known only as Ujang, in his 40s.
They arrived at MMEA jetty in Tok Bali here around 1.30pm before they were taken to a clinic in Besut.
Meanwhile, Assaari's mother Urani Awang said she was at her home in Kampung Bukit Awang here, when she learned about the incident.
"The news shocked me and my other children. I have been praying hard since last night, hoping that my son is found alive," said the 73-year-old when met at the jetty.
Assari is the second of four children.
Recalling the incident, boat skipper Tuan Azaha said sea water started filling his boat due to strong wind.
"I told myself not to panic and immediately ordered my crew members to jump off from the boat.
"I though that all five of us had reached the island safely, but I found out later that Assaari was still missing," he said.