LABUAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Labuan detained three Filipinos aboard a cargo vessel ferrying prawn fertiliser and clean water, off Teluk Weston, Sipitang, yesterday (May 11) morning.
MMEA Labuan enforcement chief Captain Maritime Che Adnan Md Isa said the vessel was intercepted at about 6.6 nautical miles southwest from Teluk Weston by a MMEA team during a routine operation.
“Upon inspection the team found the vessel was ferrying 260 gunny sacks of the fertiliser without valid documents and the skipper didn’t have the certificate of competence (COC), which is an offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Based on the preliminary investigation, the vessel was believed to be on its way from Sipitang to a prawn farm near Teluk Weston.
Che Adnan said the Filipino skipper and two crew members, all undocumented immigrants, were referred to the Immigration Department for further action. –Bernama
