MMEA Rescue Thai Fisherman From 12-hour Ordeal In Sea
March 12, 2009

KUALA TERENGGANU-- A Thai fisherman who battled the rough seas for almost 12 hours in an effort to stay afloat near the Semangkok oil rig, was rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers, Wednesday night.

Kuala Terengganu MMEA Commander Syed Fuzi Syed Hasan said the 21-year-old fisherman, wearing a life-jacket, was found afloat by a M.V.Setia vessel on patrol in the area, situated about 70 nautical miles from Kuala Terengganu.

"At about 3pm, we received information from an oil rig worker that a man was found afloat near the oil rig and as soon as we received the call, we dispatched K.M Segantang, a maritime vessel to rescue him but he was already rescued M.V. Setia before the vessel arrived," he told reporters here.

Syed Fuzi said initial investigations revealed that the fisherman may have been thrown overboard after an argument or a scuffle with fellow fishermen since it was a common occurrence among foreign fishermen

He said the rescued fisherman who had minor injuries on his body, would be handed over to the Immigration Department.

bernama.com