Couple rescued after boat runs out of fuel

KOTA KINABALU: What was supposed to be a two-hour boat ride became a two-day journey for an elderly couple after they got lost and ran out of fuel while travelling off Sandakan. Md Asibih Tamang, 73, and his wife Fatima Ulo, 65, were travelling from Kampung Batu Putih to their daughter’s house in Kampung Terusan Sugut, some 41 nautical miles away, when they got lost.

The couple had headed out to sea at about 8am on Sunday and was supposed to reach their destination some two hours later, but they never showed up.

Sensing something amiss, their son-in-law immediately contacted the district coast guards.

Sandakan MMEA director Capt Zainuddin Mohd Zuki said a search and rescue operation was activated the same day.

“On Monday, communications were established with the couple, who was reported to be safe on Mapun Island in the Philippines.

“Local fishermen there had come to their rescue and sent them home. The couple was handed over to the MMEA near Tanjung Pamaguan (in Malaysia) on Tuesday,” he said.Zainuddin said the couple had intended on using Pulau Tikus in Malaysian waters as a guide to the village where their daughter was living but lost their way until they ran out of fuel near Pulau Lankayan.

The couple then sought help from people on the island for fuel before continuing their journey.

“Islanders had advised them that to avoid getting lost, they should trail a vessel that was heading to Sandakan,” Zainuddin said.

“However, after trailing for a short while, the husband decided to intercept the vessel, saying it was moving too slowly. He was also worried a storm might hit.

“As a result, they got lost and drifted to Mapun Island.”

In case of an emergency, he urged the public to contact the 24-hour Sandakan MMEA operations room at 089-229 504 or the Malaysia Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 number.