Three fishermen, including skipper, missing after boat capsizes off Langkawi

LANGKAWI: Three fishermen, including the skipper, remain missing while another was rescued after their fishing boat capsized off Kuala Teriang yesterday afternoon.

Kedah and Perlis Maritime director of operations Captain Mohamad Shukri Khotob said the four fishermen were last heard from on Sunday night, with the boat's last known location about eight nautical miles west of Pulau Burau.

He said the Langkawi Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) received a report from the boat owner around 4.35pm yesterday, prompting a search and rescue (SAR) operation.

Shukri said one of the fishermen, Basri Mohd Nor, 47, was rescued by another boat near the incident location before being transferred to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's (MMEA) Rescue Boat 5.

"However, three other fishermen, including the skipper, Kee Swee Kiat, 51, remain missing, and search efforts are ongoing.

"The SAR operation, which resumed at 7.30am today, involves MMEA assets KM Sugut and Bot Kilat 6, as well as the Marine Police's PLC 5 boat," he said.

He said the search area was divided into three sectors based on the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System, while a forward control centre had been established at MRSC Langkawi to coordinate the deployment of assets and personnel.

"MMEA is also working with relevant agencies and the local maritime community to expand the search area and improve the chances of finding the missing fishermen.

"Members of the public, particularly the maritime community, with information on the incident are urged to contact the Kedah and Perlis Maritime Operations Centre at 04-9662750 or the emergency hotline at 999," he said.