By Brad Rantayy
BINTULU, Feb 9: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Zone detained a tugboat at about one nautical mile from Muara Sungai Kemena fon yesterday evening on suspicion of operating using an expired shipping licence.
Bintulu MMEA zone director, Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said in a statement, the suspicious looking tugboat was detected during Ops Permai and Ops Benteng patrols at around 6.50pm.
He added, his enforcement team had stopped the tugboat for further investigation.
“Based on the inspection carried out, we found that the tugboat was suspected of operating using an expired shipping licence,” he said.
The tugboat’s skipper, an Indian national, aged 29, with vaoid identification documents was detained,” disclosed Mohd Khairol.
The tugboat and the skipper, were detained and escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone vessel detention centre for further investigation.
Mohd Khairol said, the case will be investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for operating using an expired shipping licence. The offence is carries a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both, upon conviction.
He added, MMEA always welcomes the maritime community to report any illegal activities and emergencies at sea directly to the MERS 999 line or the Bintulu Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 086-314254; and Sarawak State Maritime Operations centre at 082-432 544 which operates 24-hours a day. — DayakDaily
