MELAKA, Dec 31 — A Malta-registered vessel with 26 crew was detained for anchoring without permission at about 4.9 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Upeh here, yesterday.
Melaka and Negeri Sembilan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director (Operations) Maritime Commander Azman Samsudin said the ship, MT TAHITTI IMO No. 9600877, was detained at about 1.15 pm for failing to submit a document from the Director of the Marine Department on it being allowed to anchor at the location.
He said the crew on the tanker, who are aged between 19 and 56, comprised citizens of the Republic of Hellenic, Romania, the Philippines and Russia.
“The arrest was made based on information from the Marine Department that there was a tanker anchored outside the Melaka port boundary,” he said in a statement here today.
He said action against the ship was taken under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
Members of the public with information on crime or emergencies at sea are advised to contact the Melaka and Negeri Sembilan Maritime Operations Centre at 06-3876730 and MERS 999.
— Bernama
