KOTA TINGGI: A Tanzania-registered tanker has been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here for illegal anchoring.
Tanjung Sedili MMEA acting director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said the tanker was detained on Friday (Nov 11) at about 11.40am approximately 9.1 nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penawar.
“The captain failed to produce documents proving that they had obtained permission to anchor in the Johor waters when checked by MMEA’s patrol team.
“There were 12 Indonesian and Burmese men on board who were between the ages of 24 and 62 years all. All of them have valid documents,” he said in a statement here on Saturday (Nov 12).
He said the case is being investigated under Section 491(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without the permission, which was punishable with a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both.
“This brings the total number of vessels seized this year for the same offense to 54,” he said, adding that the MMEA will continue monitoring Malaysia's waters.
