Kota Kinabalu: A tugboat with three crew members on board was believed to have sunk about 35 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Mantanani in Kota Belud, on Sunday.
Sabah and Labuan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Director Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the owner of the “Mega Jaya 2” boat lodged a police report on the disappearance of his boat at 9.30am on Sunday.
He said the three crew members, all locals, identified as Lim Chung Siong, 24; Wilson Paul Joseph, 31; and Yee Lih Min, 22.
“A search and rescue operation was activated at 11pm on Sunday with the deployment of the “KM Bistari” patrol vessel to the location where the boat is believed to have sunk.
“The operation which resumed Monday morning also involves personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police and the Royal Malaysian Navy.
“The operation is divided into three sectors with an area covering 176 nautical miles,” he said.
Mohd Rosli urged those with information on the case to contact the Sabah and Labuan Maritime Operations Centre at 088-387774.
