GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a boat ferrying nine passengers including a child 0.2 nautical miles off Batu Uban here on Wednesday (Oct 27).

       State MMEA director Capt Abd Razak Mohamed said the unlicensed boat was detained by a patrol boat during Ops Pertiwi at about 5.40pm on Wednesday.

       "The passenger boat was flagged while it was on the way to ferry the passengers back from a fishing trip," he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 28).

       Capt Abd Razak said during inspections by the MMEA, the passengers, aged between eight and 64 years old, were on board the boat manned by a 17-year-old skipper who failed to produce a valid licence to ferry passengers during the inspection.

       Capt Abd Razak said the boat, the skipper and all passengers on board were escorted back to the Batu Uban marine police jetty before they were brought to state MMEA headquarters.

       "We would like to stress to all boat owners and skippers to always comply with the existing procedures and regulations at sea.

       "Passengers also have to make sure that they are using legal ocean transportation so that their safety is secure if there is any mishaps," he said.

       Capt Abd Razak said the case is being investigated under Section 474 (1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 which carries a maximum RM10,000 fine penalty.