JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) yesterday rescued the crew of a fishing boat that caught fire off Pahang waters.
MMEA Mersing Maritime Zone director, Commander Khairul Nizam Misran, said they informed the Johor Baru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre regarding a local fishing boat that had caught fire about 13.7 nautical miles northeast of Kuala Endau, Pahang about 9.30pm on Thurs.
"We deployed a Perkasa-class patrol boat to the scene but found that the 20 crew members had already been rescued by fishing boats in the area.
All 20 crew members, all Laotians, were rescued without any injuries.
"They were then taken to the Teluk Gading Maritime Post and handed over to their employer for further action," said Khairul Nizam in a statement.
He said all the crew members possessed the necessary identification documents.
According to the victims, the fire is believed to have started in the engine room before spreading to other parts of the boat.