MIRI: A passenger vessel was detained off the coast here after maritime authorities found it had breached safety regulations during an enforcement operation conducted over the school holiday period.
The vessel was stopped at about 2.30 pm on Saturday, some 13.2 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Lobang.
Miri Maritime Zone director Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said inspectors discovered that the vessel had failed to notify the Port Officer of a change in skipper and was operating without firefighting equipment, offences under the Boat Regulations 1953.
The vessel was operated by two Malaysian crew members aged between 32 and 34.
A detention order was issued and the vessel was escorted to the Pulau Melayu Vessel Detention Centre for further investigation.
Mohd Khairol said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) would continue to take firm action against those who failed to comply with maritime laws, particularly where safety at sea was concerned.
He said enforcement operations would be intensified to ensure Malaysian waters remained safe and secure.
The public can report maritime emergencies or suspicious activities through the 999 emergency line or the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 085-649111.
