On 29 Jan 15 at or about 1150 hrs (local time), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) received information from the owner of Malaysia registered chemical tanker, Sun Birdie that the vessel cannot be contacted since 28 Jan 15 at or about 2200 hrs (local time). The last known position of the tanker was at
approximately 1 nm south of Tanjung Ayam, Malaysia (01° 19.39’ N, 104° 12.35’ E) on 29 Jan 15 at or about 0032 hrs (local time).
The owner suspected that the chemical tanker may have possibly been hijacked, and called MMEA for assistance. Sun Birdie is laden with 700 metric tons of Marine Fuel Oil (MFO) and has a total of 11 crew onboard (comprising eight Myanmar nationals and three Indonesians).
Upon receipt of the information from the Information Fusion Centre (IFC), the ReCAAP ISC immediately informed its ReCAAP Focal Points/Contact Point to look out for Sun Birdie and to report sightings of the chemical tanker and crew to the nearest coastal State. The MMEA and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) had reportedly deployed vessels to search for Sun Birdie.
On 29 Jan 15 at or about 2253 hrs, the MMEA successfully recovered Sun Birdie at approximately 17.63 nm northeast of Tanjung Penawar, Malaysia (01° 42.03’ N, 104° 30.46’ E). The MMEA detained the ship’s crew and seven perpetrators found onboard Sun Birdie. The MMEA brought the vessel to Penggerang for further
investigation. Another two perpetrators jumped overboard and fled. They were picked up by a passing ship, Challenger Premier at approximately 12.73 nm east of Tanjung Penawar (01° 30.2’ N, 104° 29.5’ E), and would be handed over to the MMEA. The CSO of the shipping company of Challenger Premier reported the rescue of the two persons to the IFC.
The ReCAAP ISC commends the MMEA for displaying utmost agility and efficiency in recovering the tanker and arresting the perpetrators onboard. From the time the incident was reported to MMEA till the vessel was found and perpetrators arrested, all within 12 hours on the same day demonstrated the determination and
commitment of the enforcement agency in clamping down illegal maritime activities in this region.
It is pertinent to highlight the quick recovery of the lost vessel and arrest of the perpetrators onboard. Timely reporting of the incident by the owner to MMEA (nearest coastal State agency), coupled with MMEA’s immediate responses had contributed towards the arrest of the perpetrators and safeguarding the safety of the crew.
