Three rescued after floating at sea for two days

Three local fishermen based in Tanjung Api, Kuantan were rescued by a merchant ship after floating for two days at sea, the Southern Region Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said.

According to Tanjung Sedili maritime enforcement chief, Capt Rozali Mohd Said, the three fishermen were found by the "Nueva Esperanza" merchant ship about 30 nautical miles (nmi)(55.56km) east of Tanjung Sedili, about 11am, yesterday.

"The incident happened on Dec 30 when they were out fishing in a fibre boat, about 53nmi (98km) from Kuantan, before their boat was hit by strong waves and capsized," he said in a statement, on Wednesday.

The fishermen were identified as Abdul Wahab Sidek, 62, who is also the boat's skipper, Muhamad Abdul Mubim Abdul Wahab, 27, and Mazuki Mohamad, 47.

Rozali said MMEA received information at about 4.50pm yesterday that the Nueva Esperanza, which was heading for Singapore from Kuantan, had saved three victims of a capsized boat.

He said all three victims were in safe condition but experienced fatigue.

Based on information from the skipper, Rozali said the weather condition at sea had changed when they were fishing, resulting in their boat to be hit by big waves, causing it to capsize.

The fishermen just clung onto orange fish barrels until they were discovered by the passing ship, he added.