Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Two tugboats detained for failing to report arrival

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
The first tugboat and its crew detained off the coast of Bintulu.

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

BINTULU: Two tugboats were detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) yesterday (Jun 19) for failing to report their arrival within the port limit area.

The detention was made at location 4.9 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Kemena during a routine patrol off the coast here under the Ops TIRIS 3.0 and Ops PERMAI 01/2019.

Bintulu Maritime Zone director Captain Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said initial inspections found both tugboats were idling alongside a barge, which was in the process of offloading logs from a cargo vessel.

“The first tugboat was detained at 4.55 pm with four crew members onboard, including an Indonesian captain, a local crew member, and a Myanmar national aged between 26 and 53.

“The second tugboat was stopped at 5.30 pm with four crew onboard, including a Myanmar captain and a local crew member aged between 31 and 54,” he said in a statement.

Both vessels are suspected of committing offences under Section 249O, which refers to Section 24(9) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952, for failing to report arrival before entering the port limit area.

If convicted, they may face a fine or compound penalty.

The tugboats and their crew were later escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre and handed over to a maritime investigation officer for further action.

The public is urged to report any maritime emergencies, complaints, or information via the emergency line 999, the Bintulu Maritime Operations Centre at 086-314254, or the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544.

The second tugboat with its crew detained off the coast of Bintulu.

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days