MMEA detains passenger boat operating without proper licence off Pulau Ketam

PORT KLANG: A passenger boat operating under a cargo vessel licence was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) off Pulau Ketam yesterday.

The vessel, ferrying passengers from Sungai Lima to Pulau Ketam, was intercepted at 10.50am, about 0.1 nautical miles southeast of Pulau Ketam.

Selangor Maritime director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the boat was stopped during routine patrols under Op Ehsan, Op Tiris 4.0 and Op Khas Tanjung 2 Series 1/2026.

He said initial inspections revealed the vessel was skippered by a 70-year-old local man.

"Further checks found that the boat had failed to display a valid boat licence and had breached its licensing conditions by operating as a passenger vessel despite being registered under the cargo vessel category.

"The skipper was also found to be unqualified to operate the vessel as he did not possess the required Certificate of Competency (COC) issued by the Marine Department," he said in a statement today.

Muhaimin said the case was being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for failing to display a valid boat licence, breaching vessel licensing and operational conditions, and operating without the required competency certification.

He said the boat and its skipper were taken to the Selangor Maritime Vessel Detention Centre before being handed over to investigating officers for further action.

He reminded boat operators that they must comply with licensing requirements, ensure their vessels are used only for their approved operational purposes and appoint qualified individuals to operate them.

"Failure to comply with these regulations is not only an offence under the law but could also endanger passengers and other maritime users," he said.

He said the MMEA would intensify monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure that shipping and passenger transportation operations in Malaysian waters were conducted legally and safely.

Those with information on illegal maritime activities or emergencies at sea can contact the Selangor Maritime Operations Centre at 013-660 6652 or the emergency hotline at 999.