Asia/Pacific News
MMEA and RMN Widen Search Area for Orkim Harmony, 3 More Aircraft Deployed to Assist
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) have widened the search area for the missing tanker MT Orkim Harmony to include assistance in the waters of neigbouring countries, covering about 4,000 square nautical miles, local media reports.
"Search efforts are being actively carried out by maritime enforcement agencies of neighbouring countries after being informed of the missing vessel," said Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, Chief of Navy, adding that on Sunday as many as 150 members of the RMN were involved in search and rescue operations to assist the MMEA.
By Tuesday, three more aircraft were also said to have been deployed to assist in the search operation, including two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft and one MMEA aircraft.
"Yesterday only one MMEA aircraft was involved in the operation but today we have added another three aircraft, making the total air asset at four at present," said Vice-Admiral Maritime Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, operation deputy director-general at MMEA.
Orkim Harmony, a product tanker belonging to Malaysia's Orkim Group, reportedly went missing approximately 17 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Aur, Malaysia, carrying a reported 6,000 metric tonnes of Petronas-owned RON95 fuel worth RM21 million ($5.5 million).
On Monday, MMEA said during a press conference that it believes the missing tanker was most likely robbed by bunker pirates who are still trying to unload the vessels' cargo.
