Penang fire and rescue department assistant director (operations) John Sagun Francis said the body of Ismail Ahmad, 28, was discovered by a search and rescue team at Sungai Udang at 9.40am.

“The victim’s body was found during a surface search and taken to the Batu Musang jetty before being handed over to the police,” Bernama reported Francis as saying.

Today’s operation involved five boats, coordinated by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and assisted by personnel from the fire and rescue department, the marine police and the civil defence force.

Francis advised the public to wear life jackets when out at sea.

In the incident which occurred at about 10am yesterday, Ismail’s boat reportedly collided with a pillar at the bridge, causing him to fall into the water.

His father and a friend, who were in a separate boat nearby, were unharmed.