A naval vessel,
KD Sri Gaya, under the command of Lt Com Harulizam Haron, rescued the seven men who were on a raft after they abandoned their vessel in the area around Segama, about 67 nautical miles from Sandakan.
The naval vessel was carrying patrols under Ops Pasir when it received a distress call over radio from the
Mermaid Challenger crew at 5.46pm Sunday (Jan 17).
Despite stormy weather and strong waves, the navy managed to reach the sinking vessel and grab the sailors to safety from their raft.
All seven were brought back to the Sandakan naval base and subsequently sent to the Duchess of Kent Hospital for observation after they returned at about 8am Monday.