BINTULU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) Bintulu zone detained a tugboat and seven local crew members 7.5 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Kidurong, here earlier yesterday morning (Jan 17).
The director of the Bintulu Maritime Zone, Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah, said that the crew, aged between 35 and 50 years, were arrested during an operation codenamed Ops Permai 01/2019.
“The tugboat is suspected of committing an offence under the Vessel Offences provision as stipulated in the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952, specifically for operating without written notification to the ship registrar regarding the change of the shipmaster’s name in the registration certificate.
“The tugboat and its crew were detained and escorted to the Vessel Detention Centre (PTV) at the Bintulu Maritime Zone,” he said in a statement yesterday (Jan 17).
He added that the arrested crew members were then handed over to MMEA investigation officers for further action.
“MMEA reminds the maritime community to comply with all laws when engaging in activities at sea,” he stressed.
For any information, complaints, or emergency incidents at sea, the public can contact the Bintulu Maritime Zone Operations Centre via the hotline at 086-314 254 or the emergency line 999 for an immediate response.
