CHUKAI: Fifteen crew members were rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) after their cargo ship began leaking while en route from Lumut to Vietnam early Saturday.

The vessel, carrying clay, was located 59 nautical miles northeast of Merchang when the incident was reported at about 1 a.m., said Kemaman Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Abdul Halim Hamzah.

MRSC Kuantan activated emergency procedures and instructed the vessel to approach shore before patrol vessel KM Sebatik carried out the evacuation.

All 15 crew — 13 Vietnamese, one Indian and one Bangladeshi aged 21 to 54 — were transported to the Kemaman Maritime Jetty for medical evaluation.

-emchosting.com/