KOTA TINGGI: A Liberian registered vessel carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been nabbed by the authorities here for anchoring illegally in Johor waters.
Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said that the vessel was detained at about 9.15pm on Tuesday (April 6) at about 14.9 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Balau, Kota Tinggi.
“The Liberian registered vessel was spotted by a Malaysian maritime patrol boat in an operation to eradicate illegal anchoring in eastern Johor waters.
“A total of 21 crewmen who were between the ages of 20 and 65 were found onboard where nine are from the Philippines, four from Ukraine, three from Russia, two from Croatia and one each from Germany, Latvia and Georgia, ” he said in a statement here on Wednesday (April 7).
He noted that two of the crewmen were brought to the Tanjung Sedili Zone Maritime office for further investigation under Section 49B(1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission from the Marine Department, which carries a fine of not more than RM100,000 or maximum of two years jail, or both.
Nurul Hizam urged the maritime community to comply with local laws and regulations before conducting their activities.
Those with information about such activities can contact the Johor maritime operation centre at 07-219 9404.
