PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a cargo vessel, which had raised suspicion of being involved in undesirable activities in Malaysian waters.
Selangor MMEA director Maritime Capt Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the ship's AIS (Automatic Identification System) had transmitted two different names with the same MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number.
“Investigations are being conducted under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952," he added in a statement on Friday (May 9).
According to Abdul Muhaimin, the state MMEA had detained the vessel on Friday at about 0.23 nautical miles east of Pulau Che Mat Zin during a routine patrol under the agency’s OP EHSAN and OP TIRIS 3.0 in Selangor waters.
“The ship, which was heading to SouthPort, had appeared on the radar with two different names and hence was detained for inspection.
“Initial inspection found that the ship was operated by a 63-year-old skipper with two crew members aged 26 and 35.
“All of them are Malaysian citizens," said Abdul Muhaimin.
The vessel was taken to the Marine Police jetty at Pulau Indah near here to be handed over to the Selangor MMEA investigating officer for further probe.
Abdul Muhaimin said the MMEA would continue to strengthen monitoring and law enforcement in Malaysian waters, especially Selangor waters.
He urged members of the public to channel any complaints, information, or emergency incidents at sea by contacting the emergency line 999 or the Selangor State Maritime Operations Centre (013-6606652) / Malaysian Maritime Operations Centre (03-89957820) for immediate response.
