Malaysia maritime commando unit seizes “Viet Tin 01” amid foul weather
- Published
by Admin
The Vietnam-registered oil products tanker Viet Tin 01 earlier spotted in North Korean waters has been seized by Pasukan Tindakan Khas dan Penyelamat APMM – PTK, the Special Task And Rescue maritime tactical unit of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, on Sunday (8 December) at 4.6 nautical miles south of Kota Tinggi in Johor, said MMEA on Monday (9 December).
The special operations unit was used during the morning due to inclement weather and security factors, noted Johor Maritime Director, First Admiral Maritime Aminuddin bin Haji Abdul Rashid.
Several maritime assets of the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone (ZMTS) units had earlier attempted to contact the tanker via radio and speakers, but no response was received resulting in the suspicion that the vessel had been abandoned, he explained.
However, further inspection found a 61-year-old Vietnamese Chief Engineer aboard the tanker who said the ship had drifted from its original position.
Johor State Maritime and the Malaysian Navy are working to move the tanker to a safe location. The tanker and its chief engineer has been detained for further investigation.
Related: Viet Trust Shipping Corporation “Viet Tin 01” spotted at DPRK port
Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 10 December, 2019
