MIRI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri Zone has detained a tugboat with eight crews on-board, for operating without licence, some 18 nautical miles off Miri.
Five of the crews are Indonesians, two are Indians and the other – a local.
Miri MMEA director Mohd Shafie Paing said the tugboat was detained around 2.30pm during a routine patrol in the area on Saturday.
He added, the tugboat and the crews aged between 22 and 53 years were taken to Miri Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre in Kampung Pulau Melayu for further investigation.
The case will be investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952/60 for failing to produce any valid documents, permit or licence, punishable by a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both, upon conviction.
Maritime Malaysia always welcomes information from the maritime community to report any illegal activities and emergencies at sea directly to the MERS 999 line or the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre (085-4183204) / Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre (082- 432544) which operates 24 hours.
