(Bintulu, 29th) The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone yesterday conducted an enforcement operation in the waters off Bintulu, detaining a tugboat suspected of sailing without being equipped with an anchor, in violation of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 (MSO).
Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Director, Maritime Captain Mohamad Sufian Aidin Abdullah, pointed out that at around 12:16 pm yesterday, during the “PERMAI 01/2019 Operation” and “TIRIS 4.0 Operation” approximately 3.1 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Kidurong, authorities discovered and intercepted the tugboat.
He said that upon inspection, it was found that the tugboat was allegedly in violation of Section 300 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, as the vessel was not equipped with an anchor—an anchor being one of the basic safety equipment required onboard.
“Further checks revealed that the tugboat had a total of eight crew members, including two locals (one of whom was the captain), one Indonesian crew member, two Myanmar crew members, and three Indian crew members.”
He stated that the authorities had detained the tugboat and all its crew, escorting them back to the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Vessel Detention Center, after which the case was handed to an investigating officer for further investigation and subsequent action in accordance with applicable laws.
Mohamad Sufian emphasized that compliance with navigation safety regulations is a shared responsibility of shipowners, operators, and ship personnel, in order to reduce maritime accident risks and ensure safety of lives at sea.
“The maritime enforcement agency will not compromise with any vessels violating maritime safety regulations and national maritime laws. We will continue to strengthen enforcement to ensure the safety and order of our territorial waters, in line with established shipping standards.”
He also called on maritime industry stakeholders to always observe navigation regulations, and in the event of maritime emergencies, violations, or situations requiring assistance, to immediately call the 999 emergency hotline, or contact the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Operations Center (086-314254) or Sarawak Maritime Operations Center (082-432544), so that the authorities can respond swiftly.
He said that upon inspection, it was found that the tugboat was allegedly in violation of Section 300 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, as the vessel was not equipped with an anchor—an anchor being one of the basic safety equipment required onboard.
“Further checks revealed that the tugboat had a total of eight crew members, including two locals (one of whom was the captain), one Indonesian crew member, two Myanmar crew members, and three Indian crew members.”
He stated that the authorities had detained the tugboat and all its crew, escorting them back to the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Vessel Detention Center, after which the case was handed to an investigating officer for further investigation and subsequent action in accordance with applicable laws.
Mohamad Sufian emphasized that compliance with navigation safety regulations is a shared responsibility of shipowners, operators, and ship personnel, in order to reduce maritime accident risks and ensure safety of lives at sea.
“The maritime enforcement agency will not compromise with any vessels violating maritime safety regulations and national maritime laws. We will continue to strengthen enforcement to ensure the safety and order of our territorial waters, in line with established shipping standards.”
He also called on maritime industry stakeholders to always observe navigation regulations, and in the event of maritime emergencies, violations, or situations requiring assistance, to immediately call the 999 emergency hotline, or contact the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Operations Center (086-314254) or Sarawak Maritime Operations Center (082-432544), so that the authorities can respond swiftly.
