KOTA TINGGI: Nine Indonesian crewmen were rescued from a sinking barter trade boat near Tanjung Pungai here.

       Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the incident took place at about 11am on Sunday (Dec 5) as water gushed into the boat due to bad weather.

       He said the agency’s Johor Baru maritime rescue sub centre (MRSC) was alerted about the incident after receiving information from the Tanjung Sedili maritime zone.

       “Following the alert, the Malaysia Maritime Perkasa 30 patrol boat rushed to the scene to rescue the crewmen.

       “The crewmen, aged between 19 and 48, were then brought to the Tanjung Sedili maritime zone office and would be later handed over to the Indonesian consulate in Johor Baru,” he said in a statement here on Monday (Dec 6).

       He said the barter trade boat was ferrying groceries and was on its way to Pulau Natuna, Indonesia from Singapore when the mishap happened.

       He urged the maritime community to be careful and always wear safety jackets, especially during bad weather.

       Those facing an emergency at the sea could contact the Johor maritime operation centre at 07-219 9401 or the MERS 999 emergency hotline.