Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director for Sabah and Labuan Kapt Maritim Rahim Ramli confirmed that two of the three crew were found in waters between Pulau Tiga and the Samarang offshore petroleum platform, Staronline has reported.

He said they were found at about 2pm today.

But the search is still on for the remaining crew and the 28 China tourists.

Kapt Maritim Rahim said MMEA was notified by the company which owned the catamaran that the skipper and the crewman had been found.

Meanwhile, China’s national news agency reported that the boat has been found sunken in the sea, with several survivors reported to be drifting at sea waiting for rescue. It gave China’s consulate general’s office in Kota Kinabalu as the source.

Xinhua news agency said China’s consulate office told it, based on what it heard from Malaysian authorities, that the boat sank in waters near Pulau Mengalum.

It said the captain and one of the crew left to look for help, while the passengers and the remaining crew member stayed together to wait for rescue.

The consulate office told Xinhua the search and rescue operation was still ongoing.