KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu branch of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained six passenger boats on suspicion of violating the conditions of their permits during a special operation in the waters off Rampayan, Kota Belud, yesterday.
Kota Kinabalu District Maritime director Maritime First Admiral Adam Aziz said three passenger boats were suspected of carrying passengers in excess of their permitted number; while three other boats were skippered by people whose names were not stipulated in their respective permits.
He said all the passenger boats detained in the operation were escorted to the Teluk Usukan Jetty for further action.
“The special operation was conducted by six officers and 10 personnel in conjunction with the Chinese New Year festivities, and was aimed at ensuring that tourist boats comply with the stipulated conditions to ensure the safety of their passengers,” he said in a statement today. - BERNAMA