Malaysia: MMEA detains two cargo vessels for illegal anchoring in Mersing waters

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Thursday (8 February) said two cargo vessels were detained for illegally anchoring at 7.3 nautical miles position northwest of Pulau Pemanggil on 7 February.

MMEA Mersing Zone Comm Maritime Suhaizan Saadin said the ships, registered from a neighbouring country, were detained by a MMEA patrol boat that was conducting routine patrols around the waters of Mersing.

He said the captain of the ship failed to produce relevant documents permitting the ship to anchor in Malaysian waters.

Further inspection also found that one of the ships was operated by 12 crew members, all Vietnamese citizens, while the other had 11 crew members who were also Vietnamese citizens. 

The case is being investigated for an offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which carries a fine of not more than RM100,000, a jail term of not more than two years, or both, upon conviction

The captains and chief engineers of the ships were detained and transported to the Mersing Maritime Zone for further investigations. 

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 13 February, 2024