(Tanjung Manis, 2nd) The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) Tanjung Manis Maritime Enforcement Zone received a report yesterday stating that a crew member of the Linau 27 barge fell into the sea and went missing in the Rajang River waters around 10:30 AM yesterday.
Gilbert Tinggak anak Numpang, the Maritime Commander of the Tanjung Manis Maritime Enforcement Zone, stated that the Kuching Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre had launched a search and rescue operation at 1:45 PM yesterday, deploying Patrol Boat '22' based on information from the informant, Wong Bit Zheng (transliterated), to conduct search and rescue operations in the incident area.
Gilbert revealed that at the time of the incident, a cabin on the barge fell into the sea due to the impact of 3.5-meter-high waves, causing two crew members to fall into the water. Another crew member who was with them attempted to rescue the missing person but was unsuccessful. He later held onto the debris of the floating cabin and was rescued by the tugboat 'Danum 126'.
The missing person was identified as 64-year-old Mustafa Abdullah. The incident occurred approximately 7 nautical miles west of the Rajang River estuary.
The search and rescue operation was supported by the Royal Malaysian Police's Tanjung Manis Division, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department's Tanjung Manis Division, and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force's Tanjung Manis Division.
A front-line search and rescue base has been established at the Tanjung Manis Passenger Terminal for this operation. Due to rough seas yesterday evening and darkness, the search and rescue operation was temporarily suspended at 6:30 PM.
Gilbert stated that the search and rescue operation would resume at 7 AM today, expanding the search area to increase the chances of finding the missing person.