Marine dept sets up taskforce to investigage catamaran tragedy

KLANG: The Marine Department of Malaysia in collaboration with the Sabah Ports and Harbour Department has set up a special taskforce to investigate the tragedy involving a catamaran which capsized off Pulau Mengalum, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on Saturday.
Marine Department director-general Datuk Baharin Abdul Hamid said the investigation would cover various aspects, including technical.
"We will look at all aspects, including security and communications equipment provided by the operator.
"In addition, the investigation will also look at the load carried as well as the licence (mate domestic limited to under 500 tonnes) owned by the skipper," he told Bernama when met at the Marine Department office here, today.
In the 10am incident on Saturday, a boat carrying 28 passengers and three crew members capsized while travelling to Pulau Mengalum from the Kampung Tanjung Aru jetty in Kota Kinabalu.
On Sunday, two crew members and 20 Chinese tourists were rescued in Semarang waters near Labuan, while three Chinese tourists were found dead, and six others still reported missing.
He said the findings would be analysed before being presented to the Transport Ministry.
"From the investigation, we will give recommendations to the ministry to improve the safety aspects of water transport, mainly involving passenger boats.
"In addition, we will also examine the need to make it compulsory for passenger boats to install tracking devices to prevent such incidents from recurring," he said.
Commenting on the insurance protection for the victims, Baharin said the police were still investigating the matter. — Bernama