GEORGE TOWN: It was short-lived joy for a group of holidaymakers here who were having fun parasailing at sea.

       It turned out they were using a recreational boat that did not have a valid licence and its insurance had expired during an inspection by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

       The MMEA has since detained two local crewmembers, aged 49 and 53 years old, during the raid 0.65 nautical miles north of Tanjung Huma at 1.05pm Tuesday (Jan 25).

       They also seized the boat.

       Penang MMEA director Kapt Abd Razak Mohamed said the boat was detained for operating parasailing activities at sea without a licence.

       “The case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for ferrying passengers without a valid licence and that its insurance had expired.

       “We advise all the recreational activity operators to abide by the law to prevent untoward incidents from happening,” he said.

       Kapt Abd Razak said the public could contact the MMEA Penang operations centre at 04-262 6146 or dial 999 to report emergencies or crimes in the state’s waters.