KUALA TERENGGANU: The Turkish men aboard the yacht Daisy, which capsized during a storm in waters off Pulau Yu on Tuesday (July 29) were on a cross-continent voyage from Malaysia to Turkiye.
Kuala Terengganu OCPD Asst Comm Azli Mohd Noor said that two men, Ahmed Volkan Ata, the yacht’s captain, and crew member Eser Demirkol, were missing, while the third crew member, Ates Demiroren, had been rescued.
Before the incident, Captain Ahmed Volkan Ata had sailed the Daisy from Port Jackson Bay, Sydney, Australia, docking at Kuantan Port, Pahang, which served as a meeting point. The other two crew members joined from Krabi, Thailand, and Singapore, departing Kuantan for their voyage.
“On July 28, at 5pm, the Daisy started its voyage and was supposed to arrive at its first checkpoint at Pattani Port, Thailand,” he stated.
However, the yacht encountered a storm in the waters off Pulau Yu at 2.30pm on Tuesday and is believed to have capsized, with only Ates Demiroren managing to save himself.
The rescued victim is currently reported to be weak and is receiving treatment at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital. The Marine Department, the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Turkiye Embassy have been informed of the incident for further action.
“All matters involving the Turkish nationals will be managed entirely by the Turkiye Embassy, and the rescued victim will be transported home once his condition improves,” he added.
Terengganu MMEA director Capt (M) Hamiludin Che Awang said that the search and rescue operation was activated at 3pm, with a patrol boat dispatched to the location to search for the missing victims. – Bernama
