MMEA detains cargo ship for failing to produce vessel documents

TANJUNG MANIS: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here detained a cargo ship for failing to produce any valid documents last Friday (June 2).
 
MMEA Tanjung Manis director Commander Gilbert Tinggak Numpang said the detention was made around 12.35pm, some 5.8 nautical miles southwest off Muara Rajang.
 
Prior to the detention, the agency’s patrol boat detected the cargo ship sailing under suspicious conditions about 1.2 nautical miles from them.
 
“Inspections found that the cargo was operated by three local crewmen aged between 35 and 58, and they were found to have valid identification documents.
 
“Other than that, the cargo ship was detained for failing to produce any vessel documents when inspected by enforcement officers.
 
“Such an offence will be investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952,” he said.
 
Gilbert stated that the crew and the cargo ship were escorted into the Tanjung Manis Terminal Jetty for further investigation.
 
The maritime community is encouraged to channel information and complaints pertaining to suspicious activity or emergencies at sea to the MMEA Tanjung Manis Operations Centre at 010-5063293 and the MMEA Sarawak Operations Centre at 082-432544.