Tourist rescued after boathouse got stuck

MIRI: A senior American sailing from Limbang to Brunei and Kuching was held up when his boathouse accidentally got stuck to the iron for tying the barge by the bank of Limbang River near Kampung Limpaong in Jalan Buangsiol yesterday.

According to a source from Fire and Rescue Dept, a tourist Jonathan Wayne, 71, had left Limbang about 8.03am to sail down the Limbang River to enjoy and record the scenic view before proceeding to Brunei.

Five personnel from the Limbang Fire and Rescue Department led by Zakaria Matnor were called to assist him and reached the site at 8.31am.

“The modified boathouse-on-raft powered by an outboard engine and 8 horsepower Yamaha engine had sailed solo downstream from Limbang River during low tide towards the river mouth.

Carried by swift currents in the river, the boathouse went out of control - and ended up getting stuck to the iron for tying the barge by the river bank,” a Bomba personnel revealed yesterday.

The personnel attempted to pull the old boathouse to a safe place but it was too heavy, so sought help from members of the public and a Marine Police boat with three personnel to tow it, berthing it near Kampung Pebahanan.

After the mishap, the tourist spent another night in Limbang and is expected to continue his journey today.

Wayne in his boathouse. Photo credit to Bomba Limbang.

The boathouse was towed to a spot near Kampung Pebahanan.