MMEA detains tugboat, crew for maritime violations off coast of Miri
MMEA detained the tugboat with 10 crew members on board off the coast of Miri yesterday morning. – MMEA photo
MIRI (May 20): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a tugboat yesterday morning off the coast of Miri for failing to produce a valid port clearance pass and a crew change list during an inspection.
MMEA Miri director Capt Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the tugboat was stopped approximately 5.2 nautical miles west of the Miri River mouth at around 11.20am during a joint maritime enforcement operation.
'During the inspection, it was found that there were 10 crew members including the captain — three Malaysians, five Indonesians, and two Myanmar nationals aged between 20 and 63 – on board.
'They were immediately detained and escorted to the MMEA Miri Complex jetty for further investigation,' he said in a statement.
Mohd Khairol said the case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967 and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for failing to produce a valid port clearance pass and a crew change list.
'The MMEA remains committed to enforcing the law in Malaysia's maritime zones and will not compromise with any offenders,' he stressed.
Those with any information, complaints, or emergencies at sea can call the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre Miri on 085-649111, the MMEA Sarawak office on 082-432544 or 082-432016, or the emergency hotline 999 for an immediate response.
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