KUCHING: The fifth day of search and rescue (SAR) efforts to locate five fishermen lost at sea has come up empty handed.
There was still no sign of the five missing men as of 5pm today (Oct 7) and the SAR operation was postponed to Friday (Oct 8).
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) Sarawak director First Admiral (Maritime) Zin Azman Md Yunus said the search area on Thursday expanded to cover 526.74 square nautical miles in the waters of Karang Berumput-Tukun Bass Santubong.
“The focus of the search area today covers 15 nautical miles from the mainland with the help of assets from various rescue agencies.
“Search was also conducted around the waters of Besi Buruk, Tukun Bass, Karang Berumput, from Tanjung Sipang to Telaga Air, Sungai Trombol and was assisted by eight local fishing boats,” he said on Thursday.
He said the SAR operation forward base set up at the Telaga Air Jetty, here will also be relocated on Friday to the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department Jetty.
“The location will serve as a forward base for SAR operation due to logistical and safety factors for rescue team personnel until the operation is over,” he added.
He also advised local fishermen to avoid going out to sea given the current poor weather conditions.
“This is especially because we are in the transition period of the Northeast Monsoon which started October and will last till March next year,” he added.
