PETALING JAYA: A passenger boat operating with a cargo licence and helmed by an unqualified skipper was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in waters off Pulau Ketam.
The boat, which was ferrying passengers from Sungai Lima to Pulau Ketam, was intercepted at about 10.50am on Saturday (Oct 30) after authorities found several licensing and operational breaches.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Capt Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said preliminary checks found that the boat was operated by a 70-year-old local man.
Further inspection revealed that the boat had failed to display a valid licence and was being used to transport passengers despite being registered under the cargo boat category.
“The skipper was also found to lack the required qualifications to operate the boat.
“The case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for failing to display a valid boat licence, breaching licensing and operational conditions, and operating without a Certificate of Competency (COC) issued by the Marine Department director,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
The boat and its skipper were subsequently escorted to the Selangor Maritime Region's Vessel Detention Centre before being handed over to the investigating officer for further action.
Abdul Muhaimin reminded all boat operators to comply with licensing requirements, ensure their vessels were used according to their approved operational categories and appoint only qualified personnel to operate them.
He said failure to comply with the regulations not only constituted an offence but could also jeopardise the safety of passengers and other water users.
MMEA will continue to step up monitoring and enforcement to ensure all shipping and passenger transport activities in Malaysian waters are conducted legally and safely.
Members of the public with information on illegal activities or maritime emergencies can contact the Selangor Maritime Operations Centre at 013-660 6652 or call 999.
