SEARCH FOR MISSING AMERICAN DIVER CONTINUES

KUANTAN (Malaysia), May 26 (Bernama) -- The search for American diver,
Kenneth Wayne, 62, who disappeared in an incident in the waters off east coast
Kuantan Port, here on Sunday, was continued Tuesday.

Kuantan District Maritime Enforcement Head, Commander Wan Mat Wan Abdullah
said the search radius had been increased to 10 nautical miles from the location
of the tragedy by 12 divers from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

When contacted Tuesday, he said the search and rescue operation was
participated by 50 personnel from the Marine Operations Force, RMN and Malaysian
Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

In the incident at 4 am, Wayne disappeared while four others on board the
yacht were injured after the vessel was rammed by another ship about 31 nautical
miles off Kuantan Port.

The victim's friend, James Edward, 27, an Irish national and diver, the
skipper of the yacht known only as Anon, 44, and Thai cook, Papop, 33, and
Butsara Tom Tantak Suwan, 31, were rescued and rushed to Tengku Ampuan Afzan
Hospital, here for treatment.

Anon and Papop were given outpatient treatment on the day of the incident.

Wan Mat said only Edward was still receiving treatment at the hospital while
Butsara was discharged from the hospital this morning.
--BERNAMA