Inp.polri.go.id - Selatpanjang. A Malaysian-registered yacht, Happy Lobster, owned by Chinese national Huang Zhigang (51), was stranded in the waters of Tanjung Permai, Rangsang Subdistrict, Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau, on Monday.

The yacht, which had engine problems, was swept into the area after drifting with the current. 

Authorities from the Meranti Sub-regional Police's Water and Air Police Unit  and immigration officers responded to the incident after receiving reports.

First Inspector Andi Purba, the Head of the Meranti Meranti Water and Air Police’s Enforcement Unit, confirmed on Tuesday (10/12/2024) that they found the vessel with Huang Zhigang on board. 

The yacht had been en route from Johor to Langkawi, Malaysia, before experiencing mechanical failure.

The yacht was towed to the Meranti Water and Air Police post on Tuesday morning, where repairs were underway. Immigration authorities found no immigration violations as the incident was deemed an emergency.

Huang Zhigang was granted emergency stay permission to repair his yacht and is under the supervision of the Selatpanjang Immigration Office.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)