Malaysia Gets Tough on Ships in Prohibited Anchorages

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recently seized 7 ships, detained 82 crew members

During a special operation against ship owners who anchored in undesignated and prohibited areas, 40 officers on MMEA's ship and five boats,  conducted operations in Pengerang, Malaysia waters.


Ships arrested included the Erwan Adventure tugboat, MT Krysper Singa and MT Titan Wisdon, which are registered in Singapore, Atami Maru (San Lorenzo) and MT Ruyi (Tarawa, Kiribati).

MT Eastern and  KGT failed to produce their ship registrations.


The 82 crew members detained included 54 Indonesians, 14 Myanmar nationals, 12 Thais and two Chinese nationals.


MMEA enforcement officer, First Admiral Adon Shalan, said a tugboat and six tankers had anchored in the prohibited areas, adding that the irresponsible attitude of the crew anchoring in the prohibited areas, could cause accidents or worse, cause loss of lives and oil spills.