Suspected Violation of Operating License Conditions: Passenger Vessel Detained in Bintulu

(Bintulu, 23rd) — A passenger vessel suspected of violating operating license conditions was detained by personnel from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone in the waters off Bintulu on Tuesday afternoon.
Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Director Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah stated that while carrying out 'PERMAI 01/2019 Operation' and 'TIRIS 3.0 Operation', enforcement officers spotted a white vessel heading towards the mouth of the Kemena River (Sungai Kemena), and intercepted it about 4.5 nautical miles northwest of the river mouth.
Upon inspection, it was found that the vessel was operated by a 22-year-old local male crew member.
He said further investigation revealed that the vessel was suspected of violating Section 12 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1953, which is operating without the required number of crew members as instructed by the port officer.
"If convicted, the owner or operator could be fined or penalized according to existing laws," he said in a statement today.
Currently, the vessel, along with the crew member, has been detained and escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Detention Center for further action by investigation officers from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
Muhammad Suffian Eldine reminded all maritime industry operators to always comply with maritime safety and legal regulations, ensuring their vessels have sufficient crew and meet safety equipment standards.
"The Maritime Enforcement Agency will not tolerate any acts that disregard maritime safety and regulations," he emphasized.
He also called on the public to immediately call the emergency hotline 999, the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Operations Center (086-314254), or the Sarawak Maritime Enforcement State Operations Center (082-432544) to report any violations, complaints, or maritime emergencies.