MMEA detains tugboat in Bintulu waters for breaching licence
BINTULU (Aug 8): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Zone detained a tugboat during a routine patrol in Bintulu waters yesterday afternoon.
Bintulu Maritime Zone director Capt Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said the vessel was stopped around 1.50pm at 4.6 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Sungai Kemena during Op Tiris 3.0 and Op Permai 01/2019 for allegedly breaching licence conditions.
Initial checks found the boat was operated by a local skipper and two Indonesian crewmen aged between 23 and 42.
'The vessel is suspected of committing an offence under Section 474(2) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952, namely using a foreign crew member to catch fish in breach of licence conditions.
'If convicted, the offence carries a fine or compound,' Muhammad Suffian said in a statement today.
The boat and its crew were escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre before being handed over to MMEA's investigating officer for further action.
Muhammad Suffian reminded the maritime community to always comply with maritime laws and safety procedures to prevent unwanted incidents at sea.
Members of the public with information, complaints, or emergencies at sea can contact the Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999, Bintulu Maritime Zone Operations Centre on 086-314254, or the Sarawak Maritime State Operations Centre on 082-432544 for immediate assistance. lead MMEA Bintulu Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah
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