—

The  naval patrol boat CB204  incident clearly uncovers the unpreparedness of the Malaysian navy to protect Sabah and Sarawak in the event of any security threat, said State Reform Party (Star Sabah) chief Jeffrey Kitingan.

Jeffrey said: “Many questions are raised that show that the navy may not be prepared in any security incident or skirmish with non-friendly or enemy intruders.

“The mechanical breakdown, communications breakdown with difference in frequencies and subsequent loss of communication and the 30-hours search raises red-flags and caution,” he said.

He opined that the search would definitely have taken longer if not for a oil-production platform, “ERB West Oil Rig, located nine nautical miles northeast of  Pulau Mengalum, that sighted the stranded boat and alerted the authorities.

“The navy ought to thank Sabah state for having oil resources for this fortunate turn of event. If not, the patrol boat may not be found or heaven forbid if found another day or two later, what could have happened to the crew that were already starving to the death?” he asked.

It is unbelievable that the vessel carried little or no rations that could not have lasted for more than a few hours, he said, adding that a week’s ration for seven men of 196 packets assuming they consumed four meals a day could not have been more than two carton boxes, he said,

One wonders, he said, if they had enough ammunition for week or a few hours if they were to encounter introders  whether they had sufficient supplies of ammunition for a week or for a few hours if they were to encounter intruders but taking the food rations as an indication, it could not have been more than  a few hours.

—

ALL THE LATEST!

…

…

…

Monday October 6, 2014 MYT 7:21:14 PM

All seven crew members of Navy combat boat found safe

by dina murad AND nicholas cheng

PETALING JAYA: All seven crew members of Navy Combat Vessel CB204 have been found safe, said Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

“Boat CB204: The boat and all crew are safe. The commander of the boat informed via radio CHF Ch16,” Abdul Aziz tweeted at about 6.08pm Monday.

He said Lt Azri Bakar, the commander of the boat, informed the search and rescue team that the crew were safe but famished.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/10/06/navy-combat-boat-204-crew-members-found-alive/

…

Star

Monday October 6, 2014 MYT 5:52:42 PM

Distress signal from missing vessel received, Navy en route to location

PETALING JAYA: A distress signal believed to be from missing Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) Combat Vessel CB204 has been received, said Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

According to tweets via Abdul Aziz’s official account, a naval ship, KD Ganas received a distress call from CB204 at 3pm, Monday.

The boat was reportedly 30 nautical miles away from a Malaysian naval station and had experienced engine and steering gear malfunctions.

“Bot CB204: KD Ganas terima panggilan distress  drpd Bot jam1500. Bot hadapi masalah enjin dan steering gear. Bot berada 30nm SE Stn Uniform. (BC204 boat: KD Ganas received a distress call from the boat at 1500hrs. The boat suffered engine and steering gear problems. The boat is 30 nautical miles from SE Stn Uniform).

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/10/06/Distress-signal-received/

—

A Malaysian Navy combat boat, CB 204, is missing!

—

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy has released the names of the seven crew members on board missing Combat Vessel CB204.

The seven are: Lt Azri Bakar (captain), BK PAP Christopher ak Mani, BM TMK Ince ak Evin, BM TMK Steven Hudson ak Miso, BM JTP Nor Azuan Ariffin, LK KOM Sulhajji Daah and LK PAP Mohd Azhry Maani.

The navy is expected to hold a press conference to update the public on the ongoing search and rescue operation, spanning 135 nautical miles around Mengalum Island and near the Spratly Islands.

RMN Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar told Bernama that he believed that the crew on the vessel were safe, due to CB204’s safety features and floating ability.

—

PETALING JAYA – A floating boat was detected near an oil rig northeast from Mengalum Island, said Royal Malaysian Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

Abdul Aziz tweeted on Monday that he received a report from an oil rig and has sent a vessel, KD Lekiu, to investigate.

“ERB West Oil Rig, located nine nautical miles northeast from Pulau Mengalum, reported that a floating boat was seen early this morning (Monday). KD Lekiu has been sent to investigate,” he tweeted.

Combat vessel CB204 lost contact with its base at 11.15am while cruising to islands off Sabah waters.

The vessel’s last known position was 20 nautical miles east of Mengalum Island.

Commanded by Lt Azri Bakar with seven crew members, CB204 departed Kota Kinabalu at about 5am with another naval ship, KD Paus.

At 10.30am, the Marine Region Headquarters received a call from KD Paus informing that the two vessels were turning back due to bad weather.

Omg, no! Why is this happening? Haih. I hope they’re all fine and can be found. #prayforCB204

…

KUALA LUMPUR: A Navy combat boat, CB 204, has reportedly lost contact while on “routine tasking” off Sabah on Sunday.

CB 204’s last known position is said to be 20 nautical miles east of Mengalum Island off Sabah.

Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said he does not expect foul play in the disappearance of the vessel.

He said the cause was most likely due to bad weather which could have cause engine or power failure on board the vessel.

Aziz said vessels from the Air Force and Malaysian Maritime Agency are involved in the search and rescue operations.

CB 204, commanded by Lt Azri Bakar with seven staff, and another naval ship, KD Paus, had departed Kota Kinabalu Naval Base at about 5am Sunday.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/10/05/navy-ship-missing-spratlys-island/

———————————————————————