04-07-2025
Tugboat detained off Bintulu for alleged Merchant Shipping Ordinance breach
The detained tugboat. – MMEA photo
BINTULU (July 4): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Zone has detained a tugboat suspected of violating the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 during a routine patrol on Wednesday.
Bintulu Maritime Zone director, Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah, said the tugboat was stopped around 2pm, approximately 0.38 nautical miles southwest of Batu Kura-Kura off of here.
The enforcement was part of Ops Tiris 3.0 and Ops Permai.
Initial checks found eight Indonesian crew members on board, aged between 23 and 48, including the captain.
'The vessel is suspected of violating Section 22(2A) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for failing to notify the Registrar of Ships in writing about a change of captain, as required under the ship's registration certificate,' Muhammad Suffian said in a statement.
The offence carries a RM2,500 fine.
The tugboat and crew were escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre for further investigation.
Muhammad Suffian urged maritime operators to comply with relevant laws and safety protocols.
The public can report emergencies or suspicious activities via the MMEA hotline at 999, the Bintulu Maritime Zone Ops Centre at 086-314254, or the Sarawak Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544. Bintulu detain Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 MMEA tigboat violation
