MMEA personnel stand guard as Shahref (right) questions the detained crewmen.
BINTULU: A modified fishing vessel was seized and its crew detained after they were caught attempting to smuggle diesel here early yesterday.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu zone director Maritime Captain Shahref Steve Mac Queen Abdullah said the vessel was stopped about 1.7 nautical miles off the Kemena river estuary.
“During inspection, the vessel was found to be carrying about 10,000 litres of diesel,
which was in violation of the legal terms of the licence set by the Malaysian fisheries director-general.
“Additionally, it did not have a permit from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and
Consumer Affairs to transport fuel,” he said in a press conference here.
According to him, the three Indian nationals onboard the vessel, aged in their 20s and 30s, will be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and also Supplies Control Act 1961.
Shahref also urged the local maritime community to continue assisting MMEA by channeling information on sea-related misconducts and crimes.
“The faster we obtain the information, the quicker we can respond to the case,” he added.