Hit-and-run vessel caught at sea

KOTA TINGGI: A runaway vessel which was involved in a hit and run accident with two other vessels was seized by the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency DM 7 Tanjung Sedili District in the waters of Tanjung Ramunia last Sunday.
The vessel identified as MV OLF which was registered in Basseterre the capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies is believed to have collided with vessels Tina 7 and Straits 3 in the waters of Tanjung Ayam on its route to India from Hong Kong last Thursday at 7.30pm.
The district agency enforcement Chief Captain Amran Daud said according to Johor Port authorities, the vessel continued its journey after the collision without stopping to assist the vessels it had barged into earlier.
"Fortunately, the 12 man crew and the captain of Tina 7 a Malaysian registered vessel were able to recover from the moment of distress and panic without any serious injuries.
"Tina 7 suffered damages to its starboard while the damages on Staits 3 have yet to be confirmed, however its mixed crew comprising of Malaysians, Indonesians and Burmese were unhurt in the incident," he said.
Amran said the collision also resulted in oil spillage and an alert was sounded to both the Singapore and Indonesian Coast Guards to assist in locating the runaway vessel.
"Our marines managed to locate the vessel on its radar and together with the Pasir Gudang Marine Department have arrested the 15 Indian national crew members and one Sri Lankan national," he said, adding that the incident is under investigation.