CHUKAI: The Search and Rescue Operation for three fishermen missing off the Kemaman coast since Sunday has been expanded from 30 nautical square miles to an area of 840 nautical square miles.
Kemaman Maritime Zone Operations deputy director Muhammad Faisal Abdul Rahim said the operation, which began at 8 am, involved a Bombardier aircraft and two boats.
He added that the search area has been extended to the waters off Kerteh and Kuantan, Pahang, with 25 personnel from various agencies, including the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
Yesterday's operation, which started at 2.50 pm, failed to locate the three missing individuals who were aboard a Class A fishing boat.
He said this had prompted the authorities to expand the search to 840 nautical square miles, covering both sea and air.
"We hope today's efforts will yield positive results," he said. BERNAMA