MMEA Miri detains passenger vessel, crew for shipping offence

MIRI (Feb 25): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a passenger vessel at approximately 0.4 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Sungai Miri for an offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1953.

MMEA Miri director Capt Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the vessel was intercepted by its patrol team at around 12.20pm on Tuesday.

“Checks found that the passenger vessel was suspected of breaching licence conditions by operating without sufficient crew and carrying unauthorised crew members at the time of inspection.

“The vessel had also previously been convicted under the same Ordinance last year,” he said in a statement.

Mohd Khairol said during operation, the team also detained the vessel’s 55-year-old skipper and 43-year-old crew member.

He said the men and vessel were escorted to the Vessel Detention Centre here and handed over to the investigating officer for further action.

The case is being investigated under Rule 12 of the Boat Rules 1953 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for operating without the required crew as stipulated by the port officer.

If found guilty, the owner and skipper may be fined RM1,000, with a compound of RM500, under Section 484 of the same Ordinance.

“Members of the public with any information, complaints, or emergencies at sea can call the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre Miri on 085-649111, MMEA Sarawak office on 082-432544 or 082-432016, or the emergency hotline 999 for an immediate response,” added Mohd Khairol.