MELAKA: Two oil tankers have been detained for an illegal ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil in waters off Kuala Linggi here.
Melaka/Negri Sembilan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Capt (M) Mohd Khairi Abd Aziz said the ships and their 48 crew members were found committing the offence at 4.30pm on Wednesday (March 27).
He added that the ships were found by a patrol unit some three nautical miles south of Tanjung Dahlan here, adding that one ship was registered in Panama and the other in Palau.
The crew members comprised China nationals, Sri Lankans, Russians and one Indonesian, aged from 27 to 54.
Capt Mohd Khairi said the crew failed to show any valid documents for the transfer of crude oil when approached by MMEA officers.
He added that the offenders face a fine of up to RM100,000, or up to two years' jail, or both if convicted under Section 49 1B(1)(k) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for illegal transfer of fuel; and Section 49 1B(1)(l) for entering Malaysian waters without approval from the Marine Department.
