(Bintulu, 7th April) A leisure fishing boat suspected of operating without a valid license was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's Bintulu district enforcement team in the Bintulu waters this morning.
The Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Director, Muhammad Suffian Eldine, stated in a press release today that the vessel was spotted at approximately 9:50 AM at a distance of 4.3 nautical miles north of Kuala Kemena during the patrol of “Operation Pagar Laut 1/2025,” “Operation Tiris 3.0,” and “Operation Permai 01/2019.”
He stated that upon inspection, the boat failed to present any relevant documents, including the boat's license. The boat was crewed by a 26-year-old local male.
The boat is suspected of violating the “1953 Boat Ordinance” for failing to present or display a valid license. If convicted, it could face fines or receive a citation.
The enforcement personnel subsequently escorted the boat and its crew back to the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone's detention center for further investigation by the investigating officer.
The Malaysian Maritime Department also reminded all maritime-related practitioners, especially leisure boat operators and fishermen, to comply with relevant regulations and ensure all documents are complete and valid before going to sea.
“Boat owners and operators must prioritize legal compliance and safety issues to prevent any unfortunate incidents,” Suffian emphasized.
The public is advised to report any issues, provide information, or seek assistance in case of emergencies at sea by calling the 999 hotline, Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Operation Center (086-314254), or Sarawak State Maritime Enforcement Operation Center (082-432544).
