Penang MMEA Seizes Unlicensed Passenger Boat

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a passenger boat suspected of operating without a licence at about 0.7 nautical miles west of Pulau Jerejak yesterday afternoon.

Penang maritime director Capt (M) Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said the detention occurred following public complaints about suspicious passenger boat activities in the area.

“The inspection revealed that the boat, carrying 28 passengers - seven men and 19 women, along with a captain and a crew of three, had violated Section 474(1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for carrying and operating a boat without a valid licence,” he said in a statement today.

The boat along with the crew have been detained and handed over to the Penang MMEA investigating officer for further action, he said.

The MMEA is committed to strengthening enforcement to ensure compliance with maritime law, he added.

-- BERNAMA