M'SIAN VESSEL RESCUES INDONESIAN CREWMEN WHOSE BOAT CAPSIZED IN JOHOR WATERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- Four crewmen of a barter boat that capsized
in Johor waters early Sunday morning, were rescued by a Malaysian International
Shipping Corporation (MISC) vessel, MT Bunga Emas 10.

The barter boat, laden with 63,000 coconuts, was heading towards Batu Pahat
from Selat Panjang, Indonesia when it was hit by strong waves and capsized about
13 nautical miles west of Sungai Rengit, Johor. Johor located in the southern
portion of Peninsular Malaysia.

Southern Region Maritime Enforcement chief First Admiral Zulkifili Abu Bakar
in a statement here, said the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) in Johor
Baharu was alerted about the capsized barter boat by the crew of MV Energy
Patriot at about 8.35am on Sunday.

He said a rescue boat, Kilat 47, was rushed to the location to carry out a
search and rescue operation, but they were later informed that all victims had
been rescued by the MISC vessel, MT Bunga Emas 10, which was sailing through the
area.

The victims were later transferred into the rescue boat and taken to Kukup
jetty for treatment.



The victims were identified as Sarlan Yusak, 35, Juliman Sutiar, 28,
Musriyadi Ngadimin, 28, and Saiful Nizan Mastor, 25, from Indonesia.

According to the victims, they left Selat Panjang, Indonesia on the evening
of Dec 4, but their boat was hit by strong waves and it overturned.

One of the victims said they were fortunate to have put on their life
jackets while clinging to empty bins before being rescued by the MISC vessel.

Zulkifli said the victims were later handed over to the Indonesian
Consulate-General in Johor Baharu.

"I would like to thank the crew of MT Bunga Emas 10 for having provided
immediate assistance.

"The Johor Baharu MRSC, as the coordinator of search and rescue
operations in the southern waters of Peninsular Malaysia, hopes that all ships
and boats will also give immediate assistance to those experiencing similar
mishaps at sea.

"Quick action is very important to avoid any loss of human lives in the
waters," he added.

-- BERNAMA