Kuala Kedah: The Search and Rescue (SAR) operation for a crew member of a local fishing vessel near the Sungai Yan Kechil estuary has been called off after no new leads were found.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak stated that the operation, which began on Monday, was called off at 7.30 pm yesterday. The Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) had received a distress call at 11 pm last Sunday, indicating that a 42-year-old Thai national had fallen into the sea 21.1 nautical miles southwest of the Sungai Yan Kechil estuary.

The SAR operation was activated at 3.15 pm on Monday, with the PERKASA 1226 patrol boat and the PENGGALANG 40 boat from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) being promptly deployed to the location. The operation was further supported by the Marine Police Force (PPM) and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).

Noor Azreyanti emphasized the importance of safety for those planning to engage in sea activities. She advised ensuring good health, taking necessary safety precautions such as wearing life jackets, checking weather forecasts, ensuring the boat’s condition, and carrying a personal locator beacon.

She also urged the public to report any emergencies or accidents at sea through the 999 emergency line or by contacting the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 04-7310579.