MMEA detains tugboat off Tanjung Kidurong

BINTULU (Aug 4): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a tugboat at 7.5 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu at around 10.30am last Friday.

Bintulu Maritime Zone director Capt Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said the tugboat bound for Kota Kinabalu was detained during a routine patrol.

“Initial checks revealed that the tugboat was crewed by seven locals aged between 35 and 50.

“The tugboat was suspected of violating the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 by failing to notify the Registrar of Ships in writing about the change of the skipper’s name on the ship’s registration certificate, an offence punishable by a RM2,500 fine,” he said in a statement.

He said the tugboat was escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre for handover to MMEA investigators.

“MMEA constantly reminds the maritime community to comply with all regulations before engaging in any activities at sea,” said Muhammad Suffian.

The public is urged to report any suspicious maritime activity or incident to the emergency hotline 999 or the Bintulu Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 086-314 254 or the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544.