GEORGE TOWN, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Penang detained two dredgers carrying sand loads exceeding the permitted limit off Pulau Rimau yesterday, with the seized vessels and their cargo estimated to be worth RM400 million.
Penang Maritime director Capt (Maritime) Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said the vessels were intercepted about 2.7 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Rimau during a routine patrol.
"Inspections found that each vessel was operated by 14 foreign crew members, comprising five Indonesians and nine Chinese nationals, while both were captained by Indonesian nationals aged 28 and 31.
"Further checks found that both vessels were suspected of committing offences under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 for carrying sand loads exceeding the prescribed limit," he said in a statement today.
Muhammad Suffi said three crew members from each vessel were detained and taken to the Penang Maritime Headquarters for further investigation.
He said the agency would not compromise with any party found violating the law and would continue to intensify enforcement to ensure navigational safety and the security of the nation's waters.
-- BERNAMA