KUCHING: The Sarawak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is conducting a joint Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) with various agencies and departments.
The exercise which started today ends on Thursday.
The agency’s Sarawak deputy director of operations Captain (Maritime) Yousry Yaali said the exercise will involve 21 agencies and departments and their assets around the waters of Tanjung Po right up to Muara Tebas.
“The exercise is to explain the search and rescue (SAR) implementation and operation procedures at the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) here, test regular SAR procedures to improve understanding and coordination and have a stronger rapport between MMEA and the agencies and departments involved.
“In addition, it is also to identify existing assets and specific expertise of each agency and department,” he told a press conference at the Tun Abang Salahuddin Maritime Complex (KOMTAS), Muara Tebas yesterday.
SAREX will be divided into four phases and three teams – sea and air team, land team and observation team.
Yousry said the exercise scenario will be about a fishing boat on fire while carrying 15 anglers back to the Kampung Geobilt jetty.
The location of the exercise will be about 3.7 nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Po and eight nautical miles off Muara Tebas.
He advised the maritime community and the public not to panic and distance themselves from the exercise area until it is completed.
