MMEA detains passenger boat near Kemena estuary for maritime offence
Photo shows the boat and crew detained for further action.
BINTULU (May 12): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Zone detained a passenger boat on Sunday for failing to notify authorities of a change of captain, an offence under Malaysian maritime law.
Bintulu Maritime Zone director Capt Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said the vessel was intercepted around one nautical mile northwest of the Kemena River estuary during a routine patrol.
An initial inspection found the boat was operated by two Malaysian crew members, aged 50 and 24.
'The vessel is believed to have violated Section 477(2) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952, which requires any change of captain to be officially reported to the port officer.
'Non-compliance is subject to fines or compound action,' he explained in a statement.
The vessel and its crew were subsequently detained and escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre, where they were handed over to investigators for further investigation.
Muhammad Suffian reminded all maritime operators to comply with maritime laws and always follow sea safety protocols to help prevent unwanted incidents.
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