MIRI: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers in Miri have detained a tugboat and barge after discovering alleged breaches of maritime safety regulations during a routine inspection off the coast of Miri.
The vessel was stopped by personnel from the Miri Maritime Zone headquarters at about 12.50pm on Monday while operating approximately 3.42 nautical miles west of Kuala Miri.
Miri Maritime Zone director, captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad, said the inspection was conducted under Op Permai 01/2019 and Op Tiris 4.0.
Checks carried out by enforcement officers found that the vessel’s liferaft had expired, while the crew also failed to produce a Certificate of Registry when requested.
Further inspection revealed that the tugboat was manned by seven crew members comprising two Malaysians and five Indonesians, aged between 20 and 70.
Following the offences, detention orders were issued against both the tugboat and barge before they were directed to anchor at a safe location.
The vessel’s master and one crew member were later handed over to investigating officers at the Miri Maritime Zone headquarters for further action under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
Mohd Khairol said the agency would continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement operations to ensure maritime communities comply with safety requirements and maritime laws in Malaysian waters.
Members of the public with information on maritime misconduct or emergencies at sea are urged to contact the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 085-649111 or via the emergency line 999.
