BINTULU — Quick action by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has stopped a tugboat that was allegedly breaking basic licensing rules just off Batu Kura‑Kura. The Bintulu Maritime Zone patrol team intercepted the vessel at about 2.00 pm yesterday while carrying out Operation Tiris 3.0 and OP Permai 01/2019.
What Happened at Sea
According to Bintulu Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah, the officers on patrol grew suspicious when routine checks showed an irregularity in the tugboat’s papers. A closer inspection revealed eight crew members on board, including an Indonesian captain. The men are aged between 23 and 48.
The MMEA believes the tugboat failed to follow Section 22(2A) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. In plain terms, the operator never told the Registrar of Ships that the captain’s name had changed. Under the law, any change must be put in writing and filed right away to keep the licence valid. Ignoring this step can draw a compound fine of up to RM 2,500.
From Patrol to Detention
Once the officers confirmed the paperwork problem, they ordered the tugboat to follow them back to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Tugboat Detention Centre. There, investigating officers will decide whether to issue a summons, a compound fine, or press further charges.
All eight crew members remain under questioning, but Captain Muhammad Suffian Eldine stresses that no harsh treatment is involved. “Our aim is compliance, not punishment. The sea is safer for everyone when every vessel follows the rules,” he said.
A Reminder for the Maritime Community
The MMEA chief urged all vessel owners, operators and seafarers to double‑check their licences and crew records. “Paperwork may feel like a hassle, but skipping it can cost you more—both in fines and in lost sailing time,” he noted.
Any seafarer who finds themselves in trouble, or any member of the public who spots something suspicious offshore, should call the 24‑hour hotlines:
- 999 (emergency services)
- Bintulu Maritime Zone Operations Centre: 086‑314 254
- Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre: 082‑432 544
These lines run around the clock, ensuring help is never far away.
