LABUAN, Dec 30 ― The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two offshore supply vessels today believed to be involved in illegal ship-to-ship oil transfer activities in Labuan waters.
A patrol boat detected the two vessels which were positioned suspiciously close to one another about one nautical mile from Labuan at 3am.
Labuan MMEA director Captain Nudin Jusoh said the captain and crew of both vessels (five Malaysians and an Indonesian) aged between 30 and 50 years old, were transported to the Labuan Maritime Zone for further investigation.
“When our team approached the two vessels for checks, they found the illegal transfer of oil was in progress...and it was discovered that the vessels do not have valid documents permitting them to conduct ship-to-ship oil transfer,” he told Bernama.
He said the case would be investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 which carries a fine of not more than RM 100,000, or two years of imprisonment, or both if convicted. ― Bernama
