Tugboat, crew in trouble for skipper change offence

BINTULU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a tugboat and detained its five crew members for failing to inform in writing about a change of skipper on Sunday (Sept 1).

MMEA Bintulu Zone director Capt Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said it took place around 3.35pm during an ‘Op Permai’ patrol.

The vessel, operated by four Myanmar nationals and a local, were spotted unloading logs onto the mother ship to be exported to India, at about four nautical miles northwest of Kuala Kemena.

“Further inspections found that the crew, aged between 28 and 35, had committed offences under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for failing to inform the Ship Registrar in writing regarding the change of skipper in the vessel’s registration certificate, which provides for a RM2,500 compound.

Handout photos show the tugboat unloading logs onto the mother ship for exportation at about four nautical miles northwest of Kuala Kemena.

“As a result, the crew members along with the vessel were escorted to the MMEA Bintulu Vessel Detention Centre for further action,” he said.

In light of this, Suffian advised the maritime community to comply with the laws before carrying out any activities at sea and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

Complaints, information or emergencies at sea can be reported directly to the MMEA Bintulu Operations Centre at 086-314254 or MMEA Sarawak Operations Centre at 082-432544.