Fishermen have been urged to stay vigilant amidst severe weather 

KEMAMAN - The fishing community have been advised to be on high alert amidst unpredictable weather conditions this monsoon season.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has warned of heavy downpours, strong rush winds and sea turbulence today.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency deputy director (Operations) of Kemaman Maritime Zone, Lieutenant (M) Muhammad Faisal Abdul Rahim said measures must be taken especially during weather changes due to Northeast Monsoon.

"There are several crucial things that needs to be done but are being overlooked by the fishermen despite reminding them multiple times.

"Before going out to sea, they need to inform their nearest family members and the fishermen community.

"It is better for them to avoid going to the sea all together, bring safety equipment and make sure the boat is in good condition,” he told Sinar Harian yesterday.

Apart from the safety issue, he said, fishermen were reminded not to go beyond 500m radius from the oil and gas platform in Malaysia.

"If found guilty, they can be convicted under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959 (Act 298), fined RM1,000 or two years imprisonment or both,” he said.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Faisal said Kemaman Maritime Zone also accelerated the preventive search and rescue (SAR) mission by patrolling the fishermen boat jetty around the beaches in Kemaman region and Dungun.

He said they are reminding and raising awareness to the maritime community, especially the fishermen on the matter.

"Preventive SAR programme is a measure taken by us to restrain and reduce the accident rate in the ocean especially during Northeast Monsoon,” he said.

Muhammad Faisal was at the Sembang Teh Tarik and Kemaman Preventive SAR programmes together with 30 fishermen communities on Thursday.

He said the programme was to establish a good relationship with the maritime community apart from focusing on ocean safety.

"Through the programme, the fishermen can understand the job scope of MMEA. Other than enforcing the laws, search and rescue (SAR) are also one of the main duties of the agency,” he said.