TANJUNG MANIS: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a tugboat and a barge, and arrested four crew members on suspicion of committing several offenses during an inspection on Saturday.
The offenses included failing to produce a vessel registration certificate, operating without a valid domestic shipping license, failing to produce an apparatus allocation certificate, and failing to produce port clearance.
Tanjung Manis MMEA Zone director, Commander Gilbert Tinggak Numpang, said that the detention resulted from continuous patrolling and monitoring by the agency in the area.
Additionally, the team arrested a skipper, two Indonesians, and a local man, aged between 28 and 62, who were aboard the vessels.
He added that the vessels, along with the crew members, were escorted to the Tanjung Manis terminal jetty for further action.
The case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, the Customs Act 1967, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
In light of this, Gilbert reminds the maritime community to adhere to all rules and laws when conducting any activities at sea.
They can channel any information, complaints, and emergency incidents at sea to the Tanjung Manis MMEA Operations Centre at 011-35728765.
