CB204 will be towed to KK naval base if weather permits

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Combat vessel CB204, found safe after it went missing for nearly 30 hours, will be towed to the Kota Kinabalu naval base if the weather permits.

Navy Region II commander Rear Admiral Datuk Mohammad Rosland Omar said if towing is carried out today, CB204 will arrive at the base in Sepanggar at about 8am tomorrow.

“The KD Lekiu has been assigned to the vessel’s location. Its expected arrival time is 4am (Tuesday). The CB204 will be towed if the weather permits,” he said in a statement, earlier today.

CB204, commanded by Lt Azri Bakar with seven crew, escorted by KD Paus, had departed the Kota Kinabalu Naval Base at about 5am on Sunday before losing radio communication contact with the KD Paus at 11.15am while heading to RMN's 'Station Lima' at Terumbu Layang-Layang, Sabah.

Apart from Lt Azri, the crew on board CB204 were Christopher Mani, Ince Evin, Steven Hudson Miso, Nor Azuan Ariffin, Sulhajji Daah and Mohd Azhry Maani.

The vessel is said to have encountered engine trouble (steering) while negotiating huge waves and rough seas plus strong winds.

The navy, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Royal Malaysian Air Forces (RMAF) deployed ships and aircrafts in the joint search and rescue (SAR) operations for the missing combat vessel.

Navy ship KD Ganas reportedly picked up a distress call at about 3pm Monday during its search at 129 nautical miles northwest of Kota Kinabalu.

All crew members were found safe but hungry.

Mohammad Rosland commended the cooperation of various agencies and the public in the success of the SAR.