"Maritime Rescue: 19 Crewmembers Safely Evacuated"

Details of the Incident

The crew, consisting of 18 Filipinos and one Malaysian, were safely removed and transferred to shore by a Malaysian patrol boat. The vessel, named Malaysia Star with a capacity of 1,466 vehicles and built in China in 1992, was traveling from Port Klang to Kota Kinabalu in Borneo when it faced problems. The fire was reported at 0840 local time on Monday morning and the vessel dropped anchor about 9 nautical miles from Tanjung Laboh in Batu Pahat Johor near the southern tip of the peninsular on the Malacca Strait.

Fire fighting efforts were ongoing after the vessel was evacuated. Two Malaysia Maritime patrol boats and a vessel from the Marine Police Force were dispatched to the scene. Pictures showed smoke emerging from the vessel as the authorities reported the fire was near the fuel tanks. The crew's safety was the top priority due to the potential dangers.

Previous Inspections and Issues

Malaysia Star has had its share of challenges. In June, the authorities in Bangladesh identified issues with the fire detection system and fire dampers. Additionally, in two prior Port State inspections, deficiencies with oil and dirty mixtures from the machinery spaces were listed.

These past issues highlight the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance of maritime vessels to ensure the safety of crew and passengers. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety standards and conducting regular inspections.