Latest news with #HKKM
New Straits Times
28-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
80pct of sea deaths due to life jacket neglect
PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recorded that 80 per cent of sea-related fatalities last year were due to victims not wearing life jackets while engaged in maritime activities. MMEA Air Operations Division director Maritime First Admiral Mohd Tahir Khalid said there were 226 recorded maritime incidents in 2024 involving 1,348 victims. Of these, 1,259 were rescued, 64 died, and 25 remain missing. As of 31 May this year, 108 cases have already been reported, involving 251 victims, of which 203 of them were rescued, 36 died, and 12 are still missing. "Emergencies or accidents at sea usually happen when individuals are not wearing life jackets. "If they had been wearing one, they could at least have stayed afloat while awaiting rescue. "Most deaths or disappearances at sea, nearly 80 per cent, are due to the absence of personal safety equipment, specifically life jackets. "When a vessel capsizes or someone falls overboard, we often find the victims were not wearing any emergency gear at the time. "Many people say life jackets are uncomfortable, especially while engaging in sea-based activities. "But we consistently advise that they wear them," he said at a press conference after officiating the 2025 Maritime Safety Awareness Day (HKKM) celebration, themed Float to Live, held at Persiaran Kapal Bugis, Tanjung Harapan. He said there are now various types of compact and easy-to-wear personal safety equipment available. Also present was Selangor Maritime director, Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh. Mohd Tahir said the current figures were alarming and, if the trend continues, fatalities could potentially double by the end of the year, possibly reaching close to 100 deaths. "As such, there is an urgent need to enhance public awareness of maritime safety, not only among the maritime community but also the general public who may be at risk while at sea. "Through today's programme theme, the MMEA urges the public to reassess their level of preparedness and learn proper floating techniques. "This isn't just for fishermen or seafarers; it applies to anyone who might find themselves at sea, whether for work or recreation," he said. He said HKKM is not merely a commemorative event but a strategic initiative to cultivate understanding and awareness in the community about the importance of safety at sea, whether for livelihood or leisure. "Float to Live is a highly relevant theme, as floating is one of the most basic and vital survival skills in an emergency at sea. "Research shows that many victims of maritime incidents could have been saved if they had the basic knowledge and skills to survive while awaiting help. "I am confident that if these skills are widely practised by all segments of society, we can reduce the number of incidents and fatalities at sea," he said. On 7 June, police confirmed that six locals involved in a capsized boat incident about 0.3 nautical miles west of Tanjung Harapan, Port Klang, on the evening of 6 June, were not wearing life jackets. The deceased were identified as husband and wife Gan Hon Tat, 32, and Careen Man, 29; their three-year-old son Darren Gan; boat owner Cheu Son Hin, 50; and Fong Yong Sen, 29. Another victim, Chang Yan Qin Alvin, 17, survived.
Malay Mail
28-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
MMEA links 80pc of 2024 sea deaths to lack of life jackets
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Nearly 80 per cent of deaths at sea last year involved individuals who were not wearing life jackets, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said today. According to Berita Harian, MMEA Air Operations Division Director, First Admiral (Maritime) Mohd Tahir Khalid, said 226 sea-related incidents were recorded in 2024 involving 1,348 victims. Of these, 1,259 were rescued, 64 died and 25 remain missing. As of May 31, 108 incidents have occurred, involving 251 victims — with 203 rescued, 36 dead, and 12 still missing. 'Most victims in emergencies weren't wearing life jackets. If they had, they could have stayed afloat while awaiting rescue,' he said, noting that nearly 80 per cent of deaths or missing persons resulted from the absence of safety equipment, particularly when boats capsized or people fell overboard. He also said many avoided wearing safety gear due to discomfort, although compact and user-friendly devices are now widely available. Mohd Tahir was speaking at the 2025 Maritime Safety Awareness Day (HKKM), themed 'Float to Survive', at Persiaran Kapal Bugis in Tanjung Harapan. He warned that if current trends continue, fatalities could double by year-end and reach nearly 100, underscoring the need for greater awareness among both seafarers and the public. Referencing the campaign theme, he urged Malaysians to assess their readiness and learn basic floating techniques. 'It's a skill everyone should have, whether for work or leisure at sea,' he added. 'Floating is one of the most basic survival skills in an emergency. 'Many victims could have been saved if they had the knowledge and training to stay afloat until help arrived.'
Barnama
06-06-2025
- General
- Barnama
108 MMEA Search And Rescue Ops Conducted Up To May
PUTRAJAYA, June 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has conducted 108 search and rescue (SAR) operations up to May and rescued 203 out of the 251 victims. MMEA director-general Admiral Maritime Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said that during the same period, 36 victims lost their lives while 12 more have not been found. Sharing the 2024 statistics, he said the MMEA recorded 226 cases via the search and rescue operations (Carilamat), involving 1,348 victims. "Of the total, the MMEA saved 1,259 lives, while 64 died and 25 still missing at sea,' he said in a statement issued today in conjunction with the Maritime Safety Awareness Day (HKKM), which has been celebrated since 2021. To enhance operational efficiency, Mohd Rosli said the MMEA has developed its own Carilamat standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure the efficiency, speed and safety of every rescue operation. He said that the responsibility of the team to lead SAR operations in the country's waters, including in the open sea, is stipulated in Sections 6(a) and 6(b) of the MMEA Act 2004 (Act 633), which clearly grants the MMEA the mandate to head SAR operations in the country. This mandate, he added, is reinforced by the National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 20, which names the MMEA as the main agency for maritime disasters, based on the National SAR Manual (Namsar) as the primary reference. Mohd Rosli said there is no such thing as a "day off' for the MMEA because any emergency requires immediate action, regardless of time or weather conditions. "Assets such as patrol boats and helicopters are always on standby around the clock for deployment,' he said.
The Star
06-06-2025
- General
- The Star
108 SAR ops conducted up to May, says MMEA DG
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has conducted 108 search and rescue (SAR) operations up to May and rescued 203 out of the 251 victims. MMEA director-general Admiral Maritime Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said that during the same period, 36 victims lost their lives while 12 more have not been found. Sharing the 2024 statistics, he said the MMEA recorded 226 cases via the search and rescue operations (Carilamat), involving 1,348 victims. "Of the total, the MMEA saved 1,259 lives, while 64 died and 25 still missing at sea,' he said in a statement issued on Friday (June 6) in conjunction with the Maritime Safety Awareness Day (HKKM), which has been celebrated since 2021. To enhance operational efficiency, Mohd Rosli said the MMEA has developed its own Carilamat standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure the efficiency, speed and safety of every rescue operation. He said that the responsibility of the team to lead SAR operations in the country's waters, including in the open sea, is stipulated in Sections 6(a) and 6(b) of the MMEA Act 2004 (Act 633), which clearly grants the MMEA the mandate to head SAR operations in the country. This mandate, he added, is reinforced by the National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 20, which names the MMEA as the main agency for maritime disasters, based on the National SAR Manual (Namsar) as the primary reference. Mohd Rosli said there is no such thing as a "day off' for the MMEA because any emergency requires immediate action, regardless of time or weather conditions. "Assets such as patrol boats and helicopters are always on standby around the clock for deployment,' he said. In addition to its responsibilities in SAR operations, he said the MMEA also periodically carries out SAR Prevention programmes in all states and maritime zones to increase maritime safety awareness. "Community briefings, talks, exhibitions, brochure distributions, joint dialogues with fishermen are all part of its approach to draw close to the maritime community,' he said. - Bernama
The Sun
06-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
108 MMEA Search and Rescue Ops conducted up to May
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has conducted 108 search and rescue (SAR) operations up to May and rescued 203 out of the 251 victims. MMEA director-general Admiral Maritime Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said that during the same period, 36 victims lost their lives while 12 more have not been found. Sharing the 2024 statistics, he said the MMEA recorded 226 cases via the search and rescue operations (Carilamat), involving 1,348 victims. 'Of the total, the MMEA saved 1,259 lives, while 64 died and 25 still missing at sea,' he said in a statement issued today in conjunction with the Maritime Safety Awareness Day (HKKM), which has been celebrated since 2021. To enhance operational efficiency, Mohd Rosli said the MMEA has developed its own Carilamat standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure the efficiency, speed and safety of every rescue operation. He said that the responsibility of the team to lead SAR operations in the country's waters, including in the open sea, is stipulated in Sections 6(a) and 6(b) of the MMEA Act 2004 (Act 633), which clearly grants the MMEA the mandate to head SAR operations in the country. This mandate, he added, is reinforced by the National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 20, which names the MMEA as the main agency for maritime disasters, based on the National SAR Manual (Namsar) as the primary reference. Mohd Rosli said there is no such thing as a 'day off' for the MMEA because any emergency requires immediate action, regardless of time or weather conditions. 'Assets such as patrol boats and helicopters are always on standby around the clock for deployment,' he said. In addition to its responsibilities in SAR operations, he said the MMEA also periodically carries out SAR Prevention programmes in all states and maritime zones to increase maritime safety awareness. 'Community briefings, talks, exhibitions, brochure distributions, joint dialogues with fishermen are all part of its approach to draw close to the maritime community,' he said.
