GEORGE TOWN, July 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Penang detained two dredgers after they were found carrying sand loads exceeding the permitted limit about 2.7 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Rimau near here yesterday.
Penang MMEA director Maritime Captain Muhammad Sufi Mohd Ramli said the two dredgers were detained by the agency’s patrol boat during a routine patrol in the area, with the total value of the seizures involving the two vessels and their sand cargo estimated at RM400 million.
"Inspections found that each vessel was manned by 14 foreign crew members comprising five Indonesians and nine Chinese nationals, with the two vessels captained by Indonesian skippers aged 28 and 31.
"Further inspections revealed that both vessels are suspected of committing offences under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 by carrying sand loads beyond the prescribed limit," he said in a statement today.
Muhammad Sufi said three crew members from each vessel were detained and taken to the Penang MMEA headquarters before being handed over to the Maritime Investigating Officer for further action.
-- BERNAMA