PORT KLANG: The Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a tanker for anchoring without permission off Sekinchan.
Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Siva Kumar Vengadasalam said the ship was detected at around 10.20am on Wednesday (May 10) through information from the Klang Malaysian Maritime Sea Surveillance System (SWASLA) Area Control Center (ACC).
"A patrol boat was deployed to the location and managed to detain the tanker at around 3pm. The ship bore the name Azumasan on its hull," said Siva Kumar.
"The ship is believed to be heading from Saudi Arabia to Japan with 26 male crew aged between 24 and 64 including the captain," he said in a statement on Thursday (May 11).
He added that all those onboard the vessel had valid identification documents and added that an inspection found that the ship's captain had failed to submit any documents for permission to anchor.
"He is suspected of having committed an offence under Section 491B (1) (l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission from the Director-General of the Malaysian Marine Department," said Siva Kumar.
"If convicted, a fine of not more than RM100,000, imprisonment for two years or both can be imposed," he added.
Siva Kumar then said that a detention order has been issued on the vessel and the captain who was taken along with the ship's crew to the Selangor MMEA Headquarters for further investigation.
He said the MMEA took legal compliance seriously and added that appropriate action would be taken to ensure that the well-being of the country's waters is always preserved.
"Shipping companies or ship owners are advised to apply for permission to anchor from the Malaysian Maritime Department and must follow the regulations set before doing any activities in Malaysian waters," he said.
If there are complaints and information about any maritime criminal activities and emergencies at sea, the public can contact the Selangor MMEA Operations Center at 03-3176 0627 or MERS 999 for immediate response.
