SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained three crew members of a cargo ship laden with fuel supplies at Tanjung Pasir waters near here yesterday.
In the 12.10pm operation, MMEA enforcement personnel stopped the cargo ship with the crew members on board and found they were carrying fuel supplies, which exceeded the permissible quantity.
District maritime zone operation deputy director Commander Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid said inspection on the ship’s special permit issued by Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry shows the cargo ship is only allowed to transport 1,200 litres of petrol and 400 litres of diesel.
“However, the enforcement team found 14 drums containing 2,800 litres of diesel and 17 drums containing 3,400 litres of petrol in the ship,” he said in a statement.
Khairulanuar said the skipper and two crew members, aged between 48 and 67, were detained to facilitate investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
He also advised the people to channel information to MMEA should they witness any emergency or criminal activities at sea to the agency’s district operation room via 089-229504 or MERS 999.