Missing fisherman found clinging to jerrycans near Pulau Tiga

KOTA KINABALU: A fisherman literally clung to empty jerrycans to stay afloat for over 24 hours after his boat capsized off Labuan.

Ramlee Mahroff, 46, drifted some 68km from Labuan to near Pulau Tiga off Sabah’s southwestern Kuala Penyu district. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) eventually found and rescued him.

He went fishing in Tanjung Aru waters at about 6am on Monday (Aug 19). His wife reported him missing at 6.30pm the same day after he failed to return home.

Labuan MMEA director Capt Izwanhadi Idros said their lightning boat found the man clinging to the jerrycans at 4.18pm on Tuesday (Aug 20).

“The man was then brought onto the boat and given an MMEA uniform to wear and water to drink.

“He was later taken to the Labuan MMEA jetty for further treatment,” he said when met at the incident control centre in Labuan on Tuesday.

Izwanhadi said the victim was visibly tired and believed to be dehydrated but otherwise in stable condition.

The search also involved the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, Customs Department and the public.