Selangor MMEA detains two passenger boats for carrying excess passengers, violating licence conditions and compromising safety.
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained two passenger boats for overloading during a patrol off Port Klang.
The detentions occurred yesterday afternoon at approximately 5.30 pm and 5.50 pm, 1.2 nautical miles west of the port.
Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the operation was part of routine patrols to ensure compliance with maritime laws.
Preliminary inspections found each boat was operated by a skipper and a crew member, carrying three men and one woman aged between 20 and 39.
Further checks revealed both vessels had violated licence conditions under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
One boat was carrying 40 passengers and the other 42, exceeding their licensed capacities of 32 and 34 respectively.
“Overloading compromises vessel stability, increases the risk of accidents and endangers passengers’ lives,” Abdul Muhaimin stated.
Both boats and all individuals were escorted to the Pulau Indah Marine Police Jetty for further investigation.
Abdul Muhaimin advised all passenger boat operators to strictly comply with their licence conditions.
He warned that firm action would be taken against anyone found violating maritime regulations.
The public is urged to report any maritime emergencies or complaints to the Selangor MMEA Operations Centre.
