KOTA TINGGI, Oct 24 — A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) special action team (PTK) were deployed by helicopter to conduct a forced boarding of two Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) vessels for carrying out an unauthorised oil transfer in the waters off eastern Johor yesterday.
The team of three specialised operatives were inserted by air using an MMEA US 365 Dauphin multipurpose twin-engine helicopter after repeated calls to board for inspection by the agency’s patrol boat were repeatedly ignored.
Johor MMEA director Maritime First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the two vessels were earlier spotted by the agency’s patrol boat which suspected them of carrying out ship-to-ship (STS) activities at 32.1 nautical miles east of Tanjung Sedili here at 12.35pm.
“The two VLCC vessels ignored and refused to cooperate for an inspection by the MMEA patrol boat, forcing the agency to request assistance from its Air Operations Division and PTK to carry out a forced boarding by air.
“The PTK operatives managed to secure the Panamanian and Honduras registered vessels before they were detained by MMEA personnel at 6pm,” said Nurul Hizam in a statement today.
Nurul Hizam said the Panama-registered vessel was operated by 26 crew members, aged between 23 and 54, and consisted of India, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka and Georgia nationals.
He said the second Honduras-registered vessel was also operated by 26 crew members, aged between 21 and 51, and consisted of India, Pakistan and the Republic of Moldova nationals.
“Both the captains of the vessels involved failed to submit any authorisation documents for the activities carried out,” he said.
Nurul Hizam said the case will be investigated under Section 491B(1)(K) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for the offence of conducting STS activities without permission and Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission.
He said those found guilty can be fined not more than RM100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years or both.
“The captains of the two vessels will also be investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing the duties of a public servant which carries a maximum imprisonment of two years or a fine of up to RM10 thousand or both if guilty,” he said.
Nurul Hizam cautioned all vessels to refrain from carrying out unauthorised activities in the waters of eastern Johor.
He urged all vessels to comply with the existing laws to avoid action being taken against them.
