BAU: Surviving 15 hours at sea after being swept away by strong currents was an extraordinary display of determination, mental strength and training.
Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Maritime) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep was alluding to 27-year-old Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) commando Leading Seaman Micheal Coccon Johen from Kampung Bobak Sejinjang Singai, whose ordeal caught his attention after he came across a social media post about the incident.
“A person surviving at sea for 15 hours — you can imagine what he had to go through. It shows determination, strong will and bravery.
“Of course, his training as a commando also played an important role in helping him get through the ordeal and survive,” he told reporters during a press conference here today (Aug 25).
Henry said he learnt about Coccon’s ordeal shortly after returning from Kuala Lumpur on Aug 19 and subsequently made his way to the family’s home.
Having dealt with several maritime incidents in his capacity as deputy minister, including cases involving capsized boats, fatalities and missing persons, he understood the uncertainty families faced when such incidents occurred.
“The moment this case happened, I felt obliged to go. I told myself that I must go down to the ground because I know how parents feel when something like this happens,” he said.
Henry said he met Coccon’s parents during the visit and recalled how overwhelmed they had been upon first learning of the incident.
“Honestly, the moment they knew about the incident, they were frozen. They could not do anything,” he said.
The incident also reminded him of an earlier case involving a father and son from the same village who went missing while fishing near Bintulu and have yet to be found.
Coccon’s ordeal, however, had a fortunate outcome.
Henry said he was particularly struck by Coccon’s account of allowing himself to move with the current instead of exhausting himself by fighting against it.
“When he told me that he floated with the tide and did not struggle against it, and that he survived, I thought this was an experience worth sharing. He is young, well-trained and mentally strong.
“I hope his experience can serve as an example to others,” he said.
Henry said Coccon had served with the RMN for about 10 years and was based at the Lumut naval base in Perak.
He said surviving for such an extended period under difficult sea conditions was difficult to comprehend, particularly with waves reaching about three metres.
“One or two hours in the water would already be difficult. Just imagine 15 hours, with waves of about three metres and seawater constantly coming at you.
“It is not easy. I don’t know how else to describe what he went through,” he said.
Henry added that Coccon’s experience was worth sharing with the public as an example of how physical preparedness, mental resilience and proper training could prove crucial during an emergency at sea.
