PORT DICKSON: The Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has seized four passenger boats for overloading in waters off the resort town here on Thursday (July 6).
Negri Sembilan and Melaka MMEA director Capt Iskandar Ishak said although each boat was only allowed to carry up to 12 passengers, one had 33 on board.
"My men were patrolling the area when they saw the overloaded boats.
"Upon checking, they discovered the passengers were Chinese tourists," he said, adding that one boat did not have a valid licence to operate.
The boats were found some 0.2 nautical miles off Pantai Tanjung Biru around 11.15am on Thursday.
Capt Iskandar said the boat owners were highly irresponsible as their actions had endangered the lives of the tourists.
No action was taken against the tourists.
The case, he said, was being probed under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
The MMEA, he said, would continue to monitor and carry out enforcement at sea to ensure the peoples' safety.
The public can also call the MMEA operations line at 06-3876 730 or 999 which operates 24 hours a day.
