Discover the Rieveria-I: Ratings & Maritime News

In a significant operation, the Malaysian Coastguard has intervened and detained the oil tankers 'Ocean Hermana' and 'Artemis III', both under suspicion of conducting unauthorized ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfers. This incident occurred approximately 32.1 nautical miles east of Tanjung Sedili. At around 12:35 p.m., a routine patrol by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) led to the discovery of the two vessels engaged in potentially illicit STS activities. Attempts by MMEA officers to board the ships voluntarily were rebuffed, necessitating a forced boarding operation via helicopter. The 'Ocean Hermana', carrying 26 crew members aged between 23 and 54, and the 'Artemis III', also with a crew of 26, aged 21 to 51, both failed to produce any authorization documents for the oil transfer operations. The case is currently being investigated under multiple legal frameworks, including Section 491B (1) (K) and Section 491B (1) (L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, as well as Section 186 of the Penal Code. Furthermore, the captains of the vessels are under scrutiny for obstructing a public servant's duty, an offense that could result in a maximum penalty of two years in prison, or a fine up to MYR 10,000, or both, if convicted. For more detailed coverage and photos, visit the report at: https://www.manifoldtimes.com/news/malaysia-mmea-conducts-forced-boarding-on-vlccs-caught-in-midst-of-sts-oil-transfer/

On December 24, 2012, a collaborative effort among federal agencies led to the seizure of over 85 pounds of cocaine valued at $1 million from a vessel off the Galveston coast. The 900-foot oil tanker, Godavari Spirit, alerted Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston upon discovering a suspicious package aboard, prompting immediate action. A specialized team, including members from the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, was dispatched. They navigated 70 miles offshore aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Manowar to board the tanker and successfully located the hidden narcotics.