MMEA detains log-laden cargo vessel off Bintulu for alleged flagging offence

BINTULU (Jan 31): A cargo vessel laden with logs was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Zone for an alleged offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952.

The vessel was detained at a position approximately 2.7 nautical miles northwest of the Kemena River mouth here on Wednesday afternoon.

Bintulu Maritime Zone director Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said the white cargo vessel, which was at anchor, was intercepted by MMEA assets conducting patrols under Op Permai 01/2019, Op Tiris 3.0 and Op Pelantar Merah 03/2023.

“Preliminary inspections found that the vessel was operated by a master and crew comprising local personnel as well as foreign nationals from India and Indonesia, aged between 26 and 65,” he said in a statement on Friday.

According to him, the vessel is suspected of committing an offence under Section 60(1)(d) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for failing to fly the Malaysian flag during inspection.

“If found guilty, the offence carries a fine or compound,” he added.

The vessel and its crew were subsequently escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre and handed over to MMEA investigating officers for further action.

Muhammad Suffian also reminded the maritime community to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and to observe safety procedures at sea to prevent unwanted incidents.

Members of the public may report information, complaints or maritime emergencies via the emergency hotline 999, the Bintulu Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 086-314 254, or the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544.