Bomba rushes to rescue tourist after his boathouse gets stuck

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

According to a source from the Fire and Rescue Department, 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 ( Bomba) led by Zakaria Matnor were called to assist him, and reached the site at 8.31am.

“The modified boathouse- onraft powered by an outboard engine and 8 horsepower Yamaha engine had sailed 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 on the iron object for tying barges by the river bank,” a Bomba personnel revealed yesterday.

The Bomba personnel attempted to pull the old boathouse to a safe place but it was too heavy, and 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.