MIRI: A passenger vessel was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) after it was found breaching licensing conditions barely half a nautical mile off the mouth of Sungai Miri.
The vessel was intercepted by patrol boats from the Maritime Zone Miri at about 12.20pm on Monday (Feb 23) during a routine inspection. Checks revealed alleged violations of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1953, including operating without the required minimum crew and carrying unauthorised personnel on board.
Maritime Zone Miri director Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the vessel was no stranger to enforcement action. It had previously been convicted under the same ordinance last year and had since been detained again during a series of maritime security operations, including ‘Op Permai’, ‘Op Tiris’ and ‘Op Pelantar Merah’.
“Initial investigations indicate the vessel was operating outside the terms of its valid licence. At the time of inspection, it did not have sufficient crew as stipulated by the port authorities and was carrying additional crew members not permitted under its operating conditions,” he said in a statement.
The 55-year-old skipper and a 43-year-old crew member were escorted, together with the vessel, to the Vessel Detention Centre in Miri. The case has been handed over to investigators for further action.
Authorities are investigating the case under Rule 12 of the Boat Rules 1953, read together with the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which governs minimum manning requirements.
If convicted, the vessel owner and the skipper face a fine of up to RM1,000, with a compound of RM500 provided for under Section 484 of the same ordinance.
Maritime Malaysia has urged the public to continue cooperating with enforcement agencies by reporting maritime offences, suspicious activities or emergencies at sea.
Information can be channelled via the national emergency line 999 or directly to the Maritime Zone Miri Operations Centre and the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre.
The agency said it would continue stepped-up patrols in Miri waters, warning that repeat offenders would not be given leniency where safety and compliance are concerned.
