KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a Marshall Islands-registered vessel for anchoring illegally in waters off east Johor.

       Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the vessel was detained at 11.03am on Sunday (Oct 24) about 10 nautical miles (18km) north-east of Tanjung Penawar here.

       “There were 22 crewmen from Ukraine, Russia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, aged between 20 and 61, all with valid documents.

       “Investigations showed the vessel did not get any permission to anchor from the Malaysian maritime director,” he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 25).

       The case will be investigated under Section 491B (1) (L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.