Seven Indonesians were rescued by a passing tugboat when their barter trade ship laden with coconuts went up in flames near Tanjung Labuh, Batu Pahat this morning.

Batu Pahat Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Maritime Base director, Lt Commander Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdullah said the incident occurred about 8.50am.

He said the ship, MT Rizki Anugerah Nusantara was heading to Minyak Beku, near Johor Bahru, from Indonesia when flames engulfed the vessel, about three nautical miles south-east of Tanjung Labuh.

“A tugboat rescued the crew, aged between 24 and 58 years, and the blaze was brought under control when a MMEA patrol vessel arrived at the scene after receiving a report.

“However, the ship was stuck in shallow water and could not be towed to port,” he added in a statement here today.

-- Bernama