MIRI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a tugboat and a barge near Kuala Baram, about 4.9 nautical miles northwest of the coastline this morning.
The operation, part of routine patrols under OP PERMAI 01/2019 and OP TIRIS 3.0, was carried out by the local maritime zone team.
The vessels were suspected of violating the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952/60 for failing to produce the necessary documentation for the skipper during an inspection.
The tugboat manned by eight crew members including three Malaysians, three Indians and two Myanmar nationals was escorted to berthing area for further investigation.
Miri maritime zone director Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad reiterated agency’s commitment to strict enforcement of maritime laws.
MMEA urged the public to report any maritime incidents or emergencies to the Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) at 999 or to the Miri maritime zone Maritime Operations Centre and Sarawak Maritime Operations Centre.
