KUCHING, Dec 25 – The wreckage of a fishing vessel reported missing on Dec 17 in Pulau Burong waters has been found, but search efforts continue for one missing crew member, a Thai national.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak director, First Admiral Kamal Ariffin Jusoh, confirmed that the search and rescue operation (Op Carilamat) located the wreckage 3.9 nautical miles north of Tanjung Moyan on the third day of the operation. The green vessel, believed to belong to the missing boat, had six foreign nationals onboard, including two Indonesians, three Cambodians, and one Thai national.
“The search area today covered 484.02 square nautical miles, focusing on the waters around Pulau Burong. The search operation was halted at 6 pm and will resume tomorrow,” Kamal Ariffin said in a statement.
The incident came to light after a report was filed on Dec 23 at 6.43 pm, prompting immediate action. Five of the six crew members have been rescued.
On Dec 23, three crew members—Khlok Sem, 32 (Cambodian); Andikah, 24 (Indonesian); and Irman, 23 (Indonesian)—were found wearing life jackets in the waters off Tanjung Sipang by a local fishing vessel. The following day, a tugboat rescued Thy Ny, 41 (Cambodian), 3.87 nautical miles west of Tanjung Po. Ouen Van, 37 (Cambodian), was later found near Sungai Serpan, Kota Samarahan.
The sole missing crew member, Chaloem Sonada, 64, from Thailand, remains unaccounted for. Search efforts, led by MMEA and supported by local vessels, are set to continue.
Authorities are urging local fishermen and vessels in the area to report any sightings or leads that could assist in the search.
