Bank officer drowns in fishing trip
A Public Bank officer who was reported missing last Friday a er going out fishing with a friend was found drowned, with the body found yesterday morning.
LABUAN: A Public Bank officer who was reported missing last Friday after going out fishing with a friend was found drowned, with the body found yesterday morning.
The victim was identified as Sibaru Apui, 54, an assistant manager with Public Bank Hire Purchase Department here.
His body was found at 11am on Sunday not far from where their boat sank, said Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Labuan Zone Director Maritine Captain Che Adnan Md Isa.
Nasir Garar, 50, was fortunate to have been rescued by a passing fishing boat, said Che Adnan in a statement yesterday.
He disclosed that Sibaru and Nasir went out fishing in Semarang waters on October 5 and when they failed to return on Saturday evening, the former’s elder bother Sigar, 57, went to lodge a police report as he was worried about the duo.
“At about the same time Sigar lodged his report, our operations room also received a police report that Nasir was rescued by a fishing boat and sent to the Kuala Penyu jetty.”
According to Nasir when their boat sprung a leak at about 9pm on Oct 5, at the Semarang waters, both of them managed to put on life jackets before leaving the vessel.
“But because of the bad weather at that time, the two men got separated,” Che Adnan said, adding that MMEA Labuan launched a search and rescue operation for Sibaru. They were joined in the OP Carilamat by private owned boats and Sibaru’s friends.
Then at 11am on Sunday, Labuan Marine Police team on PCS 1 found a body near the area where the boat sank. It was brought back to MMEA Labuan jetty and was identified as Sibaru by family members waiting there.
Che Adnan said MMEA Labuan is always concerned about the safety of fishermen whether in small boats or trawlers when they are out at sea.
“We therefore urge those wishing to go out to sea to take the necessary precautions especially when bad weather is pending. This means getting the weather forecast first,” he said, adding that any reports or emergencies can be made at MERS999 which is a 24 hours line or MMEA Labuan operations room at 087-427999,” he said.