MMEA detains recreational boat for trespassing near oil platform off Kuala Miri
by Cindy Lai · Borneo Post OnlineMIRI (April 10): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri detained a recreational boat on Thursday for trespassing into a restricted area around an oil platform in waters off Kuala Miri.
MMEA Miri director Capt Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the boat was detained around 11.30am at approximately 22.4 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Miri by an MMEA patrol asset during Op Permai, Op Tiris 4.0, and Op Khas Pagar Laut.
He said MMEA received a call from personnel at the oil platform as well as prior complaints through the MMEA Miri operations centre.
“An inspection found that the recreational boat had committed an offence under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959 by carrying out fishing activities within a 500-metre radius of the oil platform,” he said.
He further revealed that the boat was also found to have failed to produce a valid boat licence during the inspection, thereby violating provisions under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952.
The boat, along with its skipper, two crew members, and four passengers, aged between 22 and 74, were all detained and escorted to the Miri Vessel Detention Centre for further investigation.
Mohd Khairol pointed out offences under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959 are punishable under Section 7 of the Act, which carries a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or imprisonment of up to two years, or both upon conviction.
For the offence of failing to produce a valid boat licence, investigations will be conducted under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
He stressed that MMEA will continue to enhance patrols and enforcement operations to ensure all vessels comply with the law, as well as to safeguard the safety and sovereignty of national waters.
He urged members of the public with any information regarding maritime crimes or emergencies to contact the MMEA emergency line on 999, or Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre on 085-649111, or Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre on 082-432544 or 082-432016 for immediate action.