The Johor State division of Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Monday (16 August) has successfully arrested five ships during a six-hour period on Sunday over alleged entry permission offenses, reports the Manifold Times.
MMEA arrests vessels without documents of permission
Johor State Maritime Director, First Admiral Nurul Hizam bin Zakaria, stated two tankers and a cargo ship were arrested by MMEA assets in the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone via Op Anchor Haram, while two barter trade boats were arrested within the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone.
All five vessels allegedly failed to present any documents of permission to enter Malaysia’s waters, he noted.
Togo-registered cargo ship
The first detention involving a Togo-registered cargo ship occurred around 9.47 am at 13 eastern nautical miles of Tanjung Balau, Johor; the vessel had a crew of 16 comprising of Egyptian and Syrian individuals between 22 to 46 years old.
Cayman Islands registered tanker
At approximately 1.55 pm, a Cayman Islands registered tanker was arrested at 13.1 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Siang, Johor; the tanker was operated by 27 Filipino and Russian crew between 20 to 57 years old.
Panama-registered tanker
The third detention was carried out against a Panama-registered tanker at 13.9 nautical miles east of Tanjung Siang, not far from where the second tanker was arrested; the vessel was manned by 25 Filipino and Russian crew aged between 23 to 63 years old.
Barter trade boats
Within the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone, MMEA personnel arrested two barter trade boats around 3.35 pm at 2.4 nautical miles of southwest Tanjung Tohor; the boats were operated by eight Indonesian crew between 25 years to 42 years old.
Possible fine and imprisonment
All vessels involved are arrested and will be investigated under Section 491 B (1) (l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. If found guilty, parties face a fine not exceeding RM 100,000 or an imprisonment term for not more than two years, or both.
“Malaysian Maritime [MMEA] through the Johor State Maritime will continue to increase enforcement and patrol around Johor’s water area to curb illegal distanced ships,” states MMEA.
“It is advised to all ship owners and shipping agents to continue to obey and respect the rule of state water laws especially in Johor.”
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Source: Manifold Times
