ZAMBOANGA CITY – Malaysian sailors have rescued 10 Filipino crewmen of a cargo which nearly sank after hitting a coral reef off Kudat in Sabah, reports said Friday.
Malaysia’s Daily Express reported that the ship was carrying sugar and other merchandise and heading to Sulu province from Labuan when it hit the reef Thursday near Malawali Strangler. It said the mishap cost the ship’s agent some RM1.4 million.
The Filipinos were rescued by members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and some fishermen in the area in the middle of rough seas, heavy rain and strong wind, according to Kudat Maritime Zone Chief Lt Commander Boon Chin Chau, who said to have received the report at around 2 a.m.
Photo from Daily Express shows rescued Filipino crewmen in Kudat.
A patrol boat was immediately sent to the area, some 0.6 nautical miles west of Beting Banggi Tenggara. The crewmen were all safe and arrived at the Kudat Maritime Zone jetty at 2 p.m.
The names of the rescued Filipinos were not immediately known, but the report said thir ages were between 21 and 55. (Mindanao Examiner)
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