The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) detained the 'Sentek 33' and the fishing vessel 'Fuyanyu 677' on Sept 10, 2018, at 4 p
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) detained the 'Sentek 33' and the fishing vessel 'Fuyanyu 677' on Sept 10, 2018, at 4 p.m. that were suspected of carrying out illegal ship-to-ship (STS) fuel transfer. The vessels also failed to furnish permits to anchor in Malaysian waters. The two ships were detected anchored by an MMEA patrol team 3,6 miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusup, Pengerang. Preliminary checks revealed that the vessels were in the midst of fuel STS. The fishing vessel had 11 Chinese crew members, aged 28 to 50 onboard, the tanker a crew of seven comprising of Indonesians, Myanmar nationals and Singaporeans aged between 28 and 69. The case will be investigated under Section 49 1B(1)(k) of Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for failing to inform the Marine Department director of ship-to-ship activity in Malaysian waters and Section 49 1(B)(1)(l) of the same act for anchoring without permission. The owners could face a fine up to RM100,000 and two years’ jail. The case will also be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 as it involved a fishing vessel operating here without approvals in accordance to the act. Five of the crew members were sent to the Tanjung Sedili Maritime office for further investigations.
