KLANG: The Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a cargo boat on Monday (Jan 20) and found the vessel’s three-member crew without any valid documents.
Selangor Maritime director Capt Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said initial inspection of the boat found a 41-year-old man operating the boat and acting as the boat's captain, along with two crew members aged 26 and 32.
All three, who were Myanmar nationals, had failed to present valid identification documents, he added.
“A check on the documentation found the boat violating valid licensing conditions as the captain failed to present a 500GT Domestic Trade Voyages license and a seaman's book for employing foreign crew, as well as failed to activate the boat's AIS system," said Abdul Muhaimin.
The boat was detained about 0.2 nautical miles west of Tanjung Harapan at around 5.30pm on Monday during an MMEA routine patrol of Selangor waters.
The detained boat, as well as its captain and crew, were taken to the Pulau Indah Marine Police Force (PPM) jetty and then handed over to a maritime investigating officer for further action.
Captain Abdul Muhaimin said the case was being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The MMEA urges the maritime community to be more aware of the stipulated laws and that it will not compromise if individuals were found to have failed to comply with the set requirements.
For any complaints, information, or emergency incidents at sea, the public can channel them to the MMEA by contacting the emergency line 999, the Selangor Maritime Operations Centre at 013-660 6652 for immediate response.
