The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency rescued the Indonesian captain and eight crew of a cargo vessel heading from Indonesia to Thailand that sprang a leak off Terengganu today.

MMEA Eastern Region director First Admiral (Maritime) Mamu Said Alee said the vessel, Putra Harapan Sejati, sprang a leak 12.8 nautical miles off Kuala Terengganu at about 10am while carrying 170 tonnes of coconuts from Batam to Narathiwat.

“Water entered the engine room of the 300-tonne boat that was 32 metres long and five metres wide, shutting off electricity supply and making it unable to continue the journey.

“The captain issued an SOS and the MMEA rushed three boats to the vessel, which was found at 11.45am with a part of it having sunk. The MMEA personnel rescued all the crew,” he said.

Mamu said the all-male crew aged between 20 and 55 were uninjured but were sent to the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital for observation.

He also said that the MMEA reported the matter to the Indonesian embassy and notified the Marine Department of a possible oil spill at the location.

- Bernama