S’pore vessel held for ‘trespassing’

PONTIAN: A Singapore-registered vessel has been detained for illegally anchoring outside the designated area for ships in Tanjung Piai here.

Officers from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), who were carrying out routine checks, noticed the MT Amba Bhakti anchored at the forbidden area at around 3.15pm on Saturday.

The vessel’s captain, said MMEA southern region operations director Maritime Captain Ibrahim Mohamed, had failed to inform authorities about its arrival.

“This is a pre-requisite,” he said, adding that ships were not allowed to anchor outside the designated areas because they might pose a danger to other vessels or fishing boats.

“Investigations also found that the vessel has not paid its “light dues”, parking fees to anchor in that spot,” said Capt Ibrahim.

“We also detained the 25 crewmen from India to help in our investigations,” he said, adding that the men were aged between 20 and 53.

The vessel’s owner now faces action under Section 491B(1)(l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance for failing to inform the Marine Department director of ship-to-ship activity in Malaysian waters.

“It is an offence punishable by fines of up to RM100,000, two years’ imprisonment or both,” said Capt Ibrahim.