6 FISHERMEN RESCUED AFTER 3-DAY ORDEAL
Men hung on lifebuoys after boat capsizes in sea
“WE could only cling on to the lifebuoy for three days, hoping that someone will find us,” said Zulkifli Zaini, 30, one of the six fishermen who were rescued after their traditional boat capsized and sank on Sunday night, some 59km off Kuala Kuantan near here.
Zulkifli, along with skipper Mohd Faisal Anuar, 29, and his two siblings Mohd Hafiruddin, 28, and Mohd Afendi, 26; as well as two crew members, Mohd Kahar Anuar, 28, and Khairul Anuar Yusof, 29, had gone out to sea on Saturday night.
Zulkifli said the group was resting when the boat was hit by strong winds before it started to shake violently.
“That was when we realised the boat was beginning to sink and all of us started panicking. We managed to grab a lifebuoy each and prayed that someone will locate us. Since we did not have food and clean water, I felt that we had a slim chance to survive. I started to think about my wife and 5year-old daughter, Yaya, at home.”
He said they provided comforting words to each other and tried to swim, hoping that someone would find them.
“We were spotted by a tugboat which later informed the owner of the capsized boat. I am grate- ful that all of us survived and it was certainly an unforgettable experience,” he said.
Khairul Anuar said he had been prepared for any eventualities as they had been floating in the open sea for more than 48 hours.
“I told my friends to remain close to each other and accept whatever that happens.”
The stranded fishermen were brought in by a marine police boat to the Region Three Marine police jetty in Tanjung Api here about 2pm, before they were taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.