Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a merchant ship due to dropping anchor at an allocation which is not permitted by them. Both Captain and Chief Engineer of Vessel MT Marquessa have been detained and amount of $23,000 (RM 100,000) imposed as fine to the vessel or 2 years Jail term after conviction to both senior officers. Nationality of both the seafarers is Philippines.
Vessel dropped anchor around 4.8 nautical miles from the Bandar Hilir shoreline at 4pm on Wednesday (June 17) and had no permission to do same. Then concerned authorities reached to the vessel and detained the ship and the crew members as stated above. What could be the reason as why they dropped at a location when they don’t have permission is raising a serious questions on the vessel management. More details are waited in this regard. Both the officers might face serious Jail terms if they are convicted in this case.
