Damaged Ship Engine Floating In The Waters Of Pulau Lalang Kepri, 4 Canadian Citizens Successfully Evacuated By SAR Team

KEPRI - The search and rescue team (SAR) rescued four Canadian citizens who were adrift in the waters of Lalang Island, Lingga Regency, Riau Islands Province (Kepri), due to engine failure.

The four victims who were later identified by a family member were Jeremy Graham (male), Tasha Adina (female), Tefarah Amnika (female) and Seneika Jada (female).

"The four of them are in good health and safe, consisting of two adults and two children," said Head of the Tanjungpinang SAR Office Slamet Riyadi in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, Antara, Wednesday, February 2.

Riyadi explained that the incident began when the yacht sailed from Port Dickson Malaysia to Jakarta on Tuesday at around 15.00 WIB. On the way, he said, the ship suffered engine damage due to water ingress, although it was still alive but not powered.

Various repair efforts were made, but still to no avail. Finally, with the engine damaged, they looked for the nearest island in the middle of the tidal water.

"While drifting on Lalang Island, there were fishermen who happened to cross the waters, so the four passengers were immediately evacuated to the homes of local residents," he said.

Riyadi conveyed that information about the incident was received from the BBC via email at around 18.15 WIB.

After that, a joint team including the Tanjungpinang SAR Office, Lingga SAR Alert Unit, Riau Islands Police Polair, Navy, BPBD, Immigration, KKP and the local community immediately moved to the accident scene (LKK) at around 18.30 WIB.

"The joint SAR team arrived at LKK and carried out coordination with the result that the victim was in good health and safe," said Riyadi.

The four victims were evacuated using Sea Rider to the Lanal Dabo Command Headquarters for further investigation. "For the ship is planned to be pulled using a tug boat," said Riyadi.

For information, the data on the ship is Gitana, Sailing Yacht type 1979, Vall Sing 9MDT, GY 9, size 56 feet, Fiberglass material, and BHP Of Main engine 59.66.