SEARCH FOR MISSING AMERICAN DIVER SHELVED

KUANTAN (Malaysia), May 27 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue operation for
American diver Kenneth Wayne, 62, who was reported missing when the yacht he was
travelling in sank in waters off the Kuantan Port here on Sunday, has been
shelved Wednesday.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Director of Operations for
Kuantan District, Commander Wan Mat Wan Abdullah said the operation was shelved
as the search and rescue team, comprising 12 divers from the Royal Malaysian
Navy (RMN) could not ascertain the location to search for the victim.

"They will be allowed to resume the search and rescue operation after the
location where the victim went missing can be ascertained," he said when
contacted here Wednesday.

However, he said, four ships from the marine Operations Force, the RMN,
and MMEA, were still in the area to look for the victim.

Wayne was reported missing when the yacht he was travelling in together with
four others was rammed by another ship at about 4am about 31 nautical miles off
the Kuantan Port. The four others on board, who were injured, were rescued by
fishermen.

--BERNAMA