ROMPIN: Five fishermen were rescued, while another is missing, after their boat capsized some four nautical miles off Pulau Layak near Tanjung Gemok here on Friday night.
The missing crew member has been identified as Che Mohd Arif Che Hussin, 39, from Wakaf Baru, Kelantan.
Eastern Region Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director (operation) Captain V. Pannir Selvan said rough sea conditions had caused the boat to take on water and damaged its water pump.
"The skipper ordered the crew members to jump into the sea before they were rescued by a fishing boat which was passing the area. However, once on the boat, the skipper realised there were only five of them.
"MMEA's Eastern Region Operations Centre here was alerted to the incident, and a search and rescue operation was launched at about 9.30am on Saturday. Today, the operation will be joined by marine police, the navy and firemen," he said in a statement on Sunday.
Pannir reminded fishermen who go out to sea during the monsoon season to inform the authorities, check on sea conditions, and ensure that they have sufficient safety equipment.