All 19 crew rescued after sand dredger sinks off Kuala Kurau
A sand dredger sank about 25 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Pasir Hitam near Kuala Kurau, and all 19 crew members were rescued.
An emergency call reported a sand dredger sinking 25 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Pasir Hitam near Kuala Kurau at 5.53 am, prompting the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to start a rescue effort at 6.30 am. The response involved the agency's vessels KM GAGAH and PERKASA 1238 and was supported by nearby ships, with MV YAODE 1 rescuing nine crew members and MV VIVO DIYA retrieving another nine from a life raft.
A 57-year-old Chinese crew member, Tang Jifu, initially listed as missing, was located by PERKASA 1238 and taken to the Kuala Kurau Maritime Zone Headquarters Jetty before being transferred to a hospital. All 19 crew members were brought to Batu Maung Jetty for further action, and the SAR operation was officially ended at 4.30 pm. Officials highlighted the successful coordination between agency assets and the maritime community and reminded vessels to maintain safety equipment and life-jacket usage.
Why it matters
The rescue demonstrates effective coordination in maritime emergencies and underscores the importance of safety measures at sea.
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