Najib glad crew of missing navy vessel safe

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was grateful to GOD after learning that the crew of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) combat vessel CB204 were safe.

"Alhamdulillah, with the grace of GOD and the prayers of all they are safe," he said in his Twitter account when responding to Navy Chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar's Tweet that the vessel and the seven crew members were found.

Abdul Aziz using his Twitter account @ChiefofNavy had yesterday updated the status of "Boat CB204: Lt Azri, boat commander informs KD Ganas via Radio VHF Ch16, boat and all crew members are safe but hungry. Alhamdulillah."

The Combat boat CB204, commanded by Lt Azri Bakar with seven crew, escorted by KD Paus, had departed Kota Kinabalu Naval Base at about 5am on Sunday before losing radio communication contact with KD Paus at 11.15am while heading to RMN's 'Station Lima' at Terumbu Layang-Layang, Sabah.

Apart from Lt Azri, the crew on board CB204 were Christopher Mani, Ince Evin, Steven Hudson Miso, Nor Azuan Ariffin, Sulhajji Daah and Mohd Azhry Maani.

The vessel is said to have encountered engine trouble (steering) while negotiating huge waves and rough seas plus strong winds.

Meanwhile, in Kota Kinabalu, Navy Region II commander Rear Admiral Datuk Mohammad Rosland Omar said if weather permits, the vessel would be towed to the Naval base in Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu tomorrow.