KOTA KINABALU: A group of seven offshore workers had a scare when the boats they were travelling in sank off Kimanis waters on Thursday (Nov 25) afternoon.

       The two boats ran into trouble around noon, when one boat completely sank and the other already overturned but was still afloat.

       The contractors, who were wearing life jackets, managed to climb onto the sinking boat and called for help.

       Sabah and Labuan Maritime Director Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said a rescue operation was activated at 12.45pm after they received a distress call from one of the victims.

       "We instructed the victims to wear their life jackets while waiting for help to arrive," he said.

       He said rescuers reached the location at about 1.45pm and all victims were safe on top of the sinking boat.

       The victims, all installation contractors, were brought back to the maritime jetty in Sepanggar.

       No one was injured in the incident.

       Many parts of Sabah have been experiencing intermittent rain over these past few days, with Thursday seeing heavier rainfall.