Mersing passenger boat detained, crew held for overloading
MERSING: A passenger boat carrying 18 people, six over its permitted capacity of 12, was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) off Pulau Besar yesterday.
Off the coast of Pulau Besar, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a passenger boat carrying 18 individuals, six exceeding its maximum capacity of 12. The 22-year-old captain and 35-year-old crew member were also apprehended during a routine patrol around 1pm on Wednesday. The boat, intercepted approximately 0.4 nautical miles northwest of the island, was found to be operating with insufficient crew and carrying more passengers than permitted by law.
Lieutenant Maritime Hazuan Joha, deputy operations director of the MMEA Maritime Zone, revealed that initial inspections discovered these violations. The trio, including the boat, were taken to the Mersing Maritime Zone headquarters jetty and subsequently handed over to the agency's investigating officer. The matter is under investigation under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and Boats Rules 1953.
Penalties for offenders can include fines of up to RM10,000 per offense, contingent on the specific provisions applicable. Hazuan cautioned boat operators to adhere to licensing conditions, safety regulations, and maritime laws to ensure passenger safety.
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