Search continues for couple in Tanjung Harapan boat tragedy
Three people drowned after the boat capsized some 0.3 nautical miles west of Tanjung Harapan, Klang, on Friday afternoon. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : The search and rescue operation for a couple whose boat capsized in the waters off Tanjung Harapan, Klang, is still going on, with efforts now focused on refloating the overturned vessel.
Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) enforcement and excise unit operations officer Syafiq Sazali said part of the boat was successfully refloated at 2.20pm, and they had started to pump out the water, reported Berita Harian.
It was reported that three people, including a three-year-old child, had drowned in the incident yesterday afternoon, with a married couple missing.
Syafiq said the operation to raise the overturned boat was complex as it required divers to attach ropes underneath the boat They also had to take into account the sea current and underwater visibility.
'The rising tide helped somewhat because the boat still had some buoyancy, which made it easier to attach the ropes. During low tide, the boat would be more stuck to the seabed,' he said at a press conference.
He said the team successfully lifted the rear of the boat using a crane and was waiting for divers to secure ropes underneath the bow before connecting it to the crane to lift the front section.
Once the entire boat is refloated, water will be pumped out of it and the interior will be inspected to ensure there are no victims trapped inside.
'Surface search efforts are also ongoing with the help of more than four assets from involved agencies and several boats from the Royal Selangor Yacht Club,' he said.
Selangor maritime department director Muhaimin Salleh said the boat was carrying six people, with only one survivor confirmed so far.
The initial investigation suggested the boat lost control before capsizing about 0.3 nautical miles west of Tanjung Harapan.
The missing couple has been identified as Gan Hon Tat, 32, and his wife, Careen Man, 29, both from Klang Utama.
Those who died were the couple's son, Darren, and two others identified as Cheu Son Hin, 50, and Fong Yong Sen, 29. All three were found inside the boat.
The sole survivor has been identified as Chang Yan Qin, 17.
Muhaimin said the missing couple was believed to be test-driving the boat after recent repairs.
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