PETALING JAYA: A tanker with 14 crew members on board has been detained off the coast of Selangor for allegedly anchoring without permission.
Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Capt Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the vessel was intercepted at about 3.35pm on Thursday (July 23) during a routine patrol.
He said the tanker was found anchored about 8.8 nautical miles southwest of Sekinchan.
“The vessel was helmed by a 60-year-old Vietnamese captain and manned by 13 crew members, comprising 12 Vietnamese nationals and one Myanmar national, aged between 20 and 51.
“All of them were found to have valid travel documents,” he said in a statement on Friday (July 24).
However, Abdul Muhaimin said further checks revealed that the captain failed to produce approval from the Marine Department Malaysia director-general permitting the vessel to anchor in the area.
The vessel is being investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for allegedly anchoring without permission.
A detention order has been issued for the tanker, while the captain and chief engineer have been brought to the Selangor MMEA headquarters to assist in the investigation.
Abdul Muhaimin said the agency would not compromise on violations of maritime laws and would continue strengthening enforcement to safeguard the country’s waters.
He also reminded ship owners and operators to obtain the necessary approval from the Marine Department before anchoring in Malaysian waters to avoid legal action.
