MERSING: A New Zealand-registered boat has been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for illegal anchoring near Pulau Tengah here.
MMEA Mersing Zone Maritime Commander Suhaizan Saadin said the boat was hauled up at 5.15pm on Friday (June 23) some 0.3 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Tengah.
"The boat was inspected by an operation team from the department during a routine check under Ops Jaksa and Ops Tiris.
"On board were a couple from Australia and New Zealand, and their three crew members from Indonesia.
"The captain failed to provide any documents for permission to anchor in Malaysian waters," he said in a statement on Saturday (June 24).
Suhaizan said the captain also failed to inform the Malaysian authorities of their arrival and the boat was anchored in a marine park.
"The boat, along with its crew, aged between 39 and 74, have been brought to the Teluk Gading Maritime jetty for further action," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for illegal anchoring.
