FIVE fishermen were rescued when their boat started to sink after it collided with a tanker about 5.3nm east of Tanjung Lompat near Kota Tinggi yesterday.

Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the tanker MT Atlantica Breeze alerted the Johor Baru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) of the incident at 5.30am.

He said following an engine failure, the boat started to drift before hitting the tanker.

The five men, including the skipper, are Indonesian nationals, ages 30 to 43.

“Two MMEA vessels were deployed to the location and found that damage to the boat engine as well as the severe weather led to the collision that caused the boat to leak,” he said in a statement today.

However, he said the five were rescued after they jumped into the sea and were assisted by the tanker and other fishermen in the area.

Nurul Hizam said two of the victims suffered minor injuries and were taken to Tanjung Sedili Health Clinic for treatment, adding that the men had valid documentation. – Bernama, December 17, 2022.