PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a local fishing vessel and a tanker during a routine operation on Tuesday (April 22).
Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh stated that the agency’s KM Danga had detained the first vessel and its crew after they failed to produce valid identification documents.
"The first arrest involved a Class C local shipping vessel at about 1pm, located 17 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Tengah.
"Upon inspection, it was found that the boat was operated by a skipper with four Myanmar crew members aged between 36 and 49," said Captain Abdul Muhaimin.
He added that the vessel was found to have also breached conditions stipulated in its license by using nets less than 38mm to fish.
Those detained were taken to the Royal Malaysian Navy jetty in Pulau Indah to be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Later in the day, at about 3.15pm, KM Danga detained the tanker, which had anchored without permission at 5.9 nautical miles west of Pulau Pintu Gedong.
"The ship was navigated by a 36-year-old Thai captain with 16 crew members aged between 20 and 55, comprising 13 Thai nationals, two of whom were women, two Myanmar nationals, and one Indonesian national," said Captain Abdul Muhaimin.
The tanker was found to have breached the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 by not seeking permission from the Malaysian Marine Department director-general before anchoring and for failing to fly the Malaysian flag, he added.
According to Captain Abdul Muhaimin, the vessel’s second deck officer and second engineer were taken to the Pulau Indah marine police jetty for further action.
He urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities or emergencies at sea to the Selangor State Maritime Operations Center at 03-3176 0627 or dial 999 for immediate action during emergencies.
