The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two African-registered vessels for illegal anchoring in Malaysian waters.
According to various news sources, the Sierra Leone-registered cargo ship was detained by MMEA 13.5 nautical miles east of Tanjung Penawar, and the Comoros-registered oil tanker was detained nine nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Balau.
The vessels’ captains and crewmen were also detained and escorted to the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone for violation of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for illegal anchoring.
Some of the crewmen, 15 from the cargo ship and 29 from the tanker, remained onboard while the vessels were left at sea under guard. Since March 24, 2021, 297 vessels have been detained in Malaysian waters for various offences