BINTULU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here detained a tugboat and a barge with no valid documents on Wednesday (Apr 19).
MMEA Bintulu Zone director Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the detention was made around 1 pm, some 7.32 nautical miles off Tanjung Batu.
The tugboat and barge operated by five crewmen including a foreigner, were spotted carrying a lorry, excavator and sand suction machinery.
“During inspection, the skipper had failed to produce any documents related to the tugboat and barge.
“The agency would like to advise the tugboat and barge operators to operate with valid documents and carry them with them when in operation,” he said, adding that the same offence was detected in the same waters less than a week ago.
Mohd Khairol said all crewmen, aged between 20 and 52, were not detained as they had complete and valid identification documents and work permits.
The case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 which provides for a fine up to RM10,000 upon conviction.
He urged the maritime community to always comply with all legal regulations before conducting any activity at sea.
They can also report any suspicious activity or accident at sea by contacting Bintulu MMEA Operations Centre on 086-314254, or Sarawak MMEA Operations Centre on 082-432544.
