JOHOR BARU: A Tanzanian-registered vessel caught fire and drifted in Malaysian waters at 5.6 nautical miles (10.37km) south-east of Pulau Lima near Johor.

       Johor Maritime director First Admiral (M) Nurul Hizam Zakaria confirmed the incident, which happened at around 3.30pm on Tuesday (April 16).

       "The incident was reported by the Tanjung Sedili maritime zone after receiving an email from the Pasir Gudang Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).

       "The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), through the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Johor Baru, then deployed (assets) to the location but the vessel was not there," he said here on Friday (April 19).

       First Adm Nurul Hizam added that at around 4.30pm on Tuesday, MRSC Johor Baru received confirmation that the vessel had drifted into Pulau Bintan waters, within Indonesia's maritime boundaries.

       All 12 of its crew members were rescued earlier by Singaporean authorities 9.5 nautical miles (17.6km) east of Tanjung Punggai in Malaysian waters, First Adm Nurul Hizam said.

       He explained that this was in accordance with the National Search and Rescue (SAR) Manual, which says assets located near an emergency at sea should render assistance regardless of national borders.

       StarPicks

       Silent threat to heart health

       He added that the Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) was informed of the incident by a ship passing through the incident zone.