KOTA TINGGI: Eleven crew of a merchant ship and a technician were rescued when it took in water and partially sank about two nautical miles east of the waters of Tanjung Penyusup, here, last night.
Johor Maritime deputy director (operation) Maritime Captain Sanifah Yusof said 75 per cent of the St Kitts and Nevis registered merchant ship, Motor Tanker (MT) Sea Forentier was underwater after it hit a rock when undergoing engine tests at 9.15 pm.
Prior to that, the ship had received permission to drop anchor in the waters of Pengerang from the Marine Department for purpose of repairing its engine.
However, the ship entered shallow water, hit a rock, ran aground and took in water when conducting engine tests around Pulau Lima near Tanjung Penyusup.
‘’All the crew of the ship were rescued by the ship, MT Formula One which happened to be in the vicinity and taken to Tanjung Pengelih for further action by the Johor Maritime,’’ he told reporters at the Tanjung Pengelih Passenger Jetty, Kota Tinggi here today.
He said all the crew comprised Myanmar nationals (four) and Indonesians (seven) while the technician was a local, all aged 23 to 57 years.
Meanwhile, Johor Maritime, with the co-operation of the Marine Department, was also monitoring the situation to ensure there was no oil spill from the ship.
Johor Maritime advised ship operators passing the waters of Kota Tinggi specifically the waters of Pengerang to stress on the aspect of safety and always be sensitive to the weather forecasts to avoid mishaps. – Bernama
