GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a tugboat and a barge which were believed to have anchored illegally at 0.5 nautical miles off western Penaga, Seberang Prai.
State MMEA director Capt Abd Razak Mohamed (pic) said the vessels were spotted during a routine patrol at about 10.15am on Sunday (Jan 9).
"The tugboat and barge were manned by six Indonesians and two Malaysians including the boat skipper aged between 21and 48. All of them have valid travel documents. They however failed to provide documents allowing them to anchor in Malaysian waters," he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 10).
Capt Abd Razak said the boat skipper and its chief engineer were brought to the state maritime headquarters for further investigation.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 49B(1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission from the Marine Department.
The offence carries a fine of not more than RM100,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years or both upon conviction.
Capt Abd Razak reminded ship owners to always comply with all procedures and sea laws.
The public can lodge complaints on maritime crime and misconduct or any emergency by contacting the state MMEA operation centre hotline at 04-2626146 or the MERS 999 emergency line.
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