MIRI: A tugboat pulling a barge loaded with plywood was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) about seven nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Lobang last Sunday (Mar 21).
Miri Zone Maritime director Capt Md Fauzi Othman said the detention took place around 4pm during an Ops Permai patrol, carried out in Miri waters.
“The patrol team went to inspect the tugboat and the barge and found eight men (three locals, three Indonesians and two Indians) aboard.
“Inspections found that they had failed to produce the port clearance pass document and produced an expired domestic ship license (DSL) during their voyage.
“All the detainees, aged between 24 and 54, had valid identification documents,” he said.
Md Fauzi added that the men, along with the tugboat and barge, were taken to Baram anchorage area for further action.
The case will be investigated under the Customs Act 1967 for failing to produce port clearance pass during the voyage, and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for expired DSL.
