A tanker was detained by maritime authorities for anchoring without permission during a special security patrol in Terengganu.

KEMAMAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a tanker for anchoring without permission in waters off Kemaman.

The vessel was spotted during a combined ‘Ops Khas Pagar Laut’ and ‘Ops Tiris 3.0’ patrol yesterday afternoon.

Kemaman Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Abdul Halim Hamzah said the tanker was detained 4.46 nautical miles east of Teluk Penunjok.

“The inspection found that the vessel was operated by five crew members, aged between 26 and 52, including an Indonesian skipper,” he said in a statement today.

Further checks revealed the vessel was suspected of committing an offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.

The offence relates to anchoring without permission from the Marine Department director-general.

Two crew members were taken to the Kemaman Maritime Zone jetty for further investigation.

The remaining three crew stayed on board and were escorted to a safe location by MMEA assets.

Abdul Halim said patrols and monitoring would continue to be intensified.

The operations aim to ensure the country’s waters remain safe and secure from unauthorised activities.

 The Sun Malaysia