LANGKAWI, March 13 – The yacht Meridian of Sydney which was reported missing since March 10 was finally found safe yesterday evening.

Kedah and Perlis State Maritime Director, Maritime First Admiral Romli Mustafa said his party received a call from Pam Holley on March 11 at 3.00 pm, informing that her husband, Kevin Gordon George Holley, 68, an Australian citizen, who was on a voyage from Krabi, Thailand to Langkawi Island, had failed to be contacted.

"Acting on the report, the PERKASA boat was moved to the last location of the yacht which was tracked via the Marine Tracker system, approximately 35 nautical miles west of Pulau Beras Basah. However, the initial search failed due to dark conditions which made operations difficult," he said in a statement.

According to Romli, on March 11, at 7.30pm, the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Langkawi with the assistance of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) located the yacht at a new location, approximately 29.8 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Perak, before the Search and Rescue Operation (CARILAMAT) was activated at 8.00pm.

On March 12, at approximately 2.00 pm, the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) ship, KD MAHAMIRU, successfully found the yacht in a safe condition.

"The victim reported that his yacht had suffered damage to the engine and sails, causing it to drift far from its original route," added Romli.

Operation CARILAMAT officially ended on March 12, at 11.30pm, after the yacht was successfully towed to Telaga Harbour Jetty in Langkawi, safely.