MIRI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri Zone has detained two tugboats along with two barges laden with gravel at 2.9 nautical miles southwest of Kuala Baram, here on Tuesday afternoon for failing to produce the domestic shipping licenses (DSL).
Also detained at around 2 pm were 12 crew members on board.
According to Miri Maritime Zone director Maritime Capt Mohd Shafie Paing, the arrest was made following the operator’s failure to submit any relevant documents during the inspection.
The first tugboat and a barge were manned by a crew of five, including a skipper, comprising three locals and Indians and aged between 25 and 54.
Meanwhile, the second tugboat and a barge were operated by seven crew, including the skipper, consisting of four Indonesians, two Malaysians and one Indian, aged between 23 and 54.
The case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952/60 and the Customs Act 1967.
He said MMEA would continue to be committed in carrying out patrols and monitoring from time to time to prevent violations of the law, smuggling, aggression and maritime crimes that occur in the waters of the Malaysian Maritime Zone.
Any complaints and information regarding misconduct at sea, the public can contact the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 085 418204 or the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre at 082 432544 or MERS 999 which operates 24 hours.
