GEORGE TOWN: Two fishermen clung to their capsized boat for four hours off Pulau Kendi before they were finally rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here yesterday evening.
The victims, S. Manimaran, 50, and Azhar Azizi Halim, 30, were uninjured and are reported to be in stable condition.
Penang Maritime director Captain Maritime Abd Razak Mohamed said KM Kimanis, which was on routine Ops Benteng/Ops Pertiwi patrolling, spotted the fishermen clinging on to their capsized boat while calling out for help about 7pm.
He said the boat, based in Tanjung Piandang, Perak, had encountered a leak during fishing activities and the fishermen had failed to pump the water out before it overturned.
"The victims clung to their capsized boat for four hours before they were spotted by KM Kimanis crew.
"They were taken back to Tanjung Piandang by the boat owner, who was at the scene after being informed about the incident," he added.
Ab Razak advised the people to report any emergency or accident at sea to the 24-hour MERS 999 emergency hotline or the Penang Maritime Operations Centre at 04-2626146.