Kuala lumpur: Tanjung Lompat boat operators are urged to report movements of their crew and passengers before heading out to sea and after returning to shore to enhance safety monitoring in the area.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tanjung Lompat, Desaru Recreational Boat Operators Association chairman Mohd Zulazhar Satri said the information would be relayed to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) through the Tanjung Lompat Maritime Friends Group, which is supervised by Chief Petty Officer (M) Shahfur Irmam Ahmad Lathin. "This will strengthen two-way communication and facilitate coordination of action in the event of an emergency. Our approach here is preventive, because safety begins before a boat leaves the shore," he stated.
When asked about specialized training for operators, Mohd Zulazhar, 39, clarified that they had not received any from the agency. However, he mentioned that to obtain the qualifications or license to operate a boat, they were required to attend classes and sit for a test set by the Malaysian Marine Department (JLM). During this process, operators were exposed to aspects of maritime safety, navigation, navigation regulations, and relevant maritime laws.
"Being an operator is not simply about knowing how to operate a boat; we also need to understand the rules at sea and our responsibility for the safety of the boat and its passengers," he added. Based on the association's current records, there were 22 active recreational boats, while another seven were in the process of renewing their licenses with JLM.
Mohd Zulazhar, with 13 years of experience operating boats, believes the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) are adequate if properly followed, along with remaining alert to weather conditions and being prepared for any eventuality to prevent untoward incidents. "What is more important is our discipline in complying with the SOPs, as well as ensuring that the boat, engine, fuel, and safety equipment are in good condition throughout operations," he emphasized.
Reflecting on the drowning of four 16-year-old boys at Pantai Tanjung Lompat, he described it as a distressing experience for the public who participated in the search and rescue (SAR) operation. "This was the first time one of our association members personally encountered a situation where a victim was found deceased. It was indeed a deeply moving experience," he shared, noting their cooperation with MMEA during the operation.
When discussing the collision between two passenger boats that resulted in two fatalities in Kuala Sungai Mersing on August 31, Mohd Zulazhar acknowledged that accidents could be caused by multiple factors, including weather and sea conditions, negligence, speeding, technical problems, or failure to comply with SOPs. "We cannot deny that there may still be some operators who neglect the SOPs. However, we constantly remind our association members to ensure their licenses are valid, safety equipment is sufficient, passenger capacity limits are observed, and weather conditions are assessed before heading out to sea," he asserted.
An MMEA representative highlighted the strategic partnership with the group, emphasizing the local community's knowledge of shallow water locations, boat routes, and changing sea conditions. "Although we have the assets, technology, and expertise to conduct patrols and SAR operations, the local community has knowledge of shallow water locations, boat routes, beach conditions, and changes in sea conditions in the area," he said.
He also mentioned that MMEA would enhance maritime safety awareness programs, strengthen communication channels, and improve information-sharing methods to be more systematic and effective. On Wednesday, the Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 8:19 am regarding a tragedy involving six 16-year-old boys who were reported to have drowned while swimming. Two of them were rescued by members of the public, while the other four were reported missing. The four victims, Muhammad Thaqif Rayyan Rumainoor, Alif Taqiuddin Kamal Hasrul, Muhammad Adib Hafiy Kamal, and Mohamad Haiman Fitri, were found during a four-day SAR operation coordinated by MMEA, which ended yesterday.