Body of fisherman in boat capsize near Pontian found

The fishermen who went missing when his boat overturned in the waters of Sungai Rambah, Pontian near here yesterday, was found drowned today.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Johor Bahru director Maritime Capt Syed Nur Adli Ab Rahman said the body of Muhammad Atif Hafifi Abd Manaf, 28 , was found by a search team about one nautical mile from the coast of Rambah at 8.35am.

The fate of another victim identified only as Amy, 20 who went missing after the trawler he was in capsized was still unknown, he said in a statement here today.

A team comprising personnel from the MMEA , Fire and Rescue Department, marine police, Civil Defence Force and local fishermen were involved in the search and rescue operation for the victim.

In the incident, Muhammad Atif and Amy were with their friends in their respective boats when they were struck by strong waves and overturned west of Sungai Rambah , Pontian, about 1.8km west of Sungai Pontain Kechil.

A colleague of Muhammad Atif managed to save himself by swimming to the shore while three crew members of a trawler with Amy were rescued by other fishermen in the area.

-- BERNAMA