BINTULU: A local vessel was detained today as it was believed to have illegally modify its engine without proper permission, in the waters off Kuala Kemena during Ops Permai 01/2019 and Ops Tiris 4.0
Bintulu Maritime Zone director Maritime Capt Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said the vessel was detained at around 12.42 pm yesterday afternoon, about 5.6 nautical miles northwest off Kuala Kemena.
“Further inspection on the vessel found that its engine was believed to have been modified without proper permission.
“Hence, the vessel is being detained and being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985,” he said.
He added the vessel was crewed by five Indonesian nationals including its captain, and they were escorted to Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre for further investigation.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) reminds the maritime community to strictly comply with established laws and regulations, as well as to prioritise safety at sea to minimise the risk of untoward incidents.
