Fishing vessel with five Indonesian crew detained

MIRI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri zone detained a local fishing vessel suspected of violating the Fisheries Act 1985 early Saturday morning.

The vessel was apprehended during joint operations ‘Ops Permai 1/2019,’ ‘Ops Naga Timur,’ and ‘Op Tiris 3.0’.

Miri Maritime Zone director, Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad, in a statement on Sunday, said the vessel was detected by Malaysian Maritime patrol boats 11 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Baram, here while engaged in fishing activities.

An inspection revealed that the vessel was manned by five crew members, including the skipper, all of whom were Indonesian citizens.

The vessel is suspected of violating license conditions by operating less than 12 nautical miles from the coast.

The crew members were detained, and the vessel along with its fishing equipment was seized and escorted to the Vessel Detention Centre (PTV) here for further action.

Maritime Malaysia has affirmed its commitment to enforcing maritime laws in Sarawak waters, emphasising continuous monitoring operations to prevent maritime crimes.

The public is encouraged to report any incidents at sea by contacting the emergency line NG999, the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 085-418204, or the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544 / 082-432016.

Five crew members onboard the vessel are also detained for questioning.