Labuan: A vessel transporting oil capsized after being hit by massive waves.

And as a result, about 1,000 to 2,000 litres of oil had leaked into the shallow waters near Kampung Lamidan in Menumbok.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said in a statement issued to the media here yesterday it feared that the oil spill may pose a serious threat to marine life in the area.

The livelihood of fishermen living nearby may also be affected.

It is also learnt that the marine departments of Sabah and Labuan have immediately launched an operation to prevent the oil slick from spreading but the effort was hampered by strong waves.

The vessel-MV Ramai Dua was said to be transporting 200,000 litres of oil when it capsized on Tuesday.

However, the captain of the vessel and his seven crew members were rescued by MMEA personnel at about 12.10pm after a search and rescue operation was launched five hours earlier.

All Malaysians, they were brought to safety by a MMEA patrol boat.

The MMEA also said the vessel had partially sunk when the search and rescue team arrived at the scene.

--Courtesy of New Sabah Times