Kemaman: A 'ghost ship' that has been drifting near the Semangkok A oil platform in Terengganu since August 12 is scheduled for a safety inspection before an in-depth investigation is launched.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Pahang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director, First Admiral (Maritime) Mazlan Mat Rejab, reported that the vessel was successfully towed to the Kemaman Supply Base (KSB) in Teluk Kalung at approximately 11:30 am today. Twelve personnel from the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team of the Terengganu and Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) are set to board the ship for an initial safety check, which will be succeeded by a comprehensive evaluation by additional security personnel.
Mazlan detailed that the towing operation was coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Kuantan, the Marine Department of Malaysia (JLM) East Coast Region, and Petronas, with assistance from several private agencies. The operation concluded after the vessel covered a distance of 140 nautical miles over a two-day period. He emphasized that Hazmat personnel would first confirm the ship's safety before allowing other rescue teams and agencies to proceed with further inspections.
The operation's success was attributed to the collaboration of 62 personnel and officers from various security agencies and partners in the oil and gas industry. A Dauphin AS 365 N3 helicopter was utilized for aerial surveillance, while the Maritime Special Task and Rescue Team (STAR Team) was transported from Kerteh to the Larut Platform. From there, they were transferred to the MV Aishah AIMS 1 to board the ghost ship and install the towline, which was then shifted to the MV JM Purnama rescue vessel for the remainder of the 140-nautical-mile journey.
Mazlan remarked that the ghost ship had no crew onboard and that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of a fire on the vessel. The fire's origin remains unclear, with suspicions that hazardous gas or chemicals might have sparked it, posing significant risks to the towing crew. He also mentioned that authorities are investigating any potential connections between the ghost ship and a recent fire on a foreign tanker at Tanjung Sedili Kecil, near the eastern waters of Johor, Kota Tinggi. The ghost ship's identity is still under investigation.