Malaysia’s MMEA Seizes Ships & Arrests Crew Members For Illegal Anchoring
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has recently seized a tanker ship (243m), a cargo ship (120m) registered in Indonesia along with a tanker (39m) from Malabo for illegal anchoring.
243-meter Tanker Ship
Director of Maritime State of Johor, First Maritime Lieutenant Nurul Hizam bin Zakaria said, the 243 meters long tanker was detained at 1.00 pm yesterday at the position of 11.6 nautical miles east of Tanjung Balau.
The tanker was operated by 24 crew memebers, consisting of Ukrainian, Indian and Russian citizens between 21 and 49 years old, as well as had a valid self-identification document.
The case is being investigated according to Section 491B(1)(L) of the Saudagar Shipment Ordinance 1952 which allocates a fine of not more than RM100 thousand ringgit or imprisonment not more than two years or both for the offences of Saudagar without permission.
Ship companies are advised to take seriously the procedures and regulations before entering and accompanying any waters in Malaysia.
120-meter cargo ship
Director of Maritime State of Johor, First Maritim Nurul Hizam bin Zakaria said, the cargo ship was detained during enforcement patrol around the East Johor waters at 1.33 pm in the position of 30.7 nautical miles east of Tanjung Sedili Little.
Another 39m vessel had onboard Indonesian men between 25 and 58 years with valid documents. However, while inspecting the vessel’s documents, it was found that the captain had failed to produce an anchoring permit that was valid and issued by the Marine Department.
All the crew including the 120-meter cargo ship have been arrested and will be investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) Saudagar Shipment Ordinance 1952 for the offenses of the Malaysian Sea Director.
If found guilty can be fined not more than RM100 thousand ringgit or prison not more than two years or both. Maritime Malaysia State of Johor will continue to carry out enforcement patrols to ensure the waters of Johor state are preserved.
He also added that the captain was taken to the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Office for further investigation.
The case is currently under thorough investigation per Section 491B (1) (L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance act 1952. Under the act, the perpetrator can be punished with a fine of RM 100,000 or a jail term of about two years or even both.
39-meter Tanker
Maritim Malaysia Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) The State of Johor has detained an unloaded tanker that was suspected to have been anchoring without permission in the east Johor waters yesterday.
Director of Maritime State of Johor, First Maritime Advocate Nurul Hizam bin Zakaria said the tanker registered from Malabo was detained by the Malaysian Maritime assets at the position of 8.4 nautical stones northeast of Tanjung Penawar at 10.55 am yesterday I have.
The 39-meter-long tanker was controlled by six Indonesian crew aged between 25 to 58 years with a legal self-identification.
An inspection against the ship documents found that the ship’s nakhoda failed to submit any document of the truth from the Malaysian Sea Director.
The ship was brought to the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone Office for investigation under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Saudagar Shipment Ordinance 1952 which allocates a fine not more than RM100 thousand ringgit or prison not more than two years or two- both if found guilty.
Maritime Malaysia the State of Johor wants to assert that strict enforcement actions will be strengthened again to eradicate ships that are illegally docked in the waters of Johor state. All international ship owners are reminded to respect sovereignty and obey the laws enforced in Malaysian waters.
If there are any complaints, inquiries or reports regarding activities in the waters of Johor state, immediately contact Johor State Maritime Operations Center at 07-219 9401.
Reference: Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia
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