MIRI: Malaysian maritime authorities have detained a tanker and its four crew members off the coast of Kuala Baram for violating shipping regulations.
The vessel was intercepted approximately 1.7 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Baram during a routine patrol operation by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on yesterday morning (May 3).
According to Miri Maritime director Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad, the vessel had failed to report a change in its shipmaster to port authorities, a requirement under Malaysian maritime law.
The incident occurred during joint operations Op Permai and Op Tiris, with the vessel intercepted at around 10.10 am.
On board were four crew members ,including three Malaysians and one Indian national , aged between 24 and 76.
All individuals were taken into custody and the tanker was escorted to the Miri Vessel Detention Centre for further investigation. The case is being pursued under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious maritime activity to the Miri Maritime Operations Centre or via the national emergency hotline 999.
