Two Singaporean Boats Detained by Indonesia
Two Singapore-registered vessels have been detained in Indonesia the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said. The sole Singaporean who was caught along with those ships is a marine surveyor and he returned to Singapore on March 16.
MPA also said it was assisting Indonesia in the investigations of the two separate incidents.
Recent media reports had quoted that four Singapore-registered vessels and four Singaporeans were detained. Indonesia said it had detained a total of four Singapore-registered ships in two incidents in early March, each of which involved boats that allegedly did not have proper papers.
MPA clarified that only two vessels are Singapore-registered and only one person detained is a Singaporean marine surveyor.
MPA said on Friday that only DM55 Singapore was registered here and Sea Sparrow 1 was Belize-registered. The second incident happened when the Indonesian coast guard reportedly nabbed two vessels with Singapore flags off Batam Island, according to a report on March 11. The ships, BT ASL Glory and BG AST 183, allegedly did not have a notification letter showing intent to sail through Indonesian waters.
MPA said it is in contact with the Indonesian authorities to assist in the investigations of the incidents. "We have also advised the shipping community that all vessels should follow international best practices and adhere to the relevant coastal state laws," said MPA.