Terengganu: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detected a 'ghost ship' drifting in the waters near the Semangkok A oil platform in Terengganu, on Tuesday (Aug 12).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Pahang MMEA director First Admiral (Maritime) Mazlan Mat Rejab revealed that the unnamed vessel, weighing 292.9 tonnes, is believed to be connected to an earlier incident involving an oil tanker that caught fire off Tanjung Sedili on Aug 7. The ship was spotted about four nautical miles east of the platform after a report was received by the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Kuantan from MRSC Johor Bahru at 4.45 pm on Aug 12.

Mazlan stated that the vessel had drifted past the oil platform area, posing a potential threat to the safety of nearby platforms. The ship is currently being towed to the Kemaman Supply Base (KSB) in Terengganu, where it will undergo salvage operations.

On Aug 7, media reports indicated that one Indonesian crew member died and four others were injured when a fire broke out onboard a foreign oil tanker, 36 nautical miles east of Tanjung Sedili Kechil, near the waters of east Johor, Kota Tinggi, on Aug 6.

Mazlan added that the agency would conduct a detailed inspection, including an investigation into the ship's identity and any reports of possible victims on board, once it arrives at KSB. The operation has received support from a Dauphin AS 365 N3 helicopter, which transported the Special Action and Rescue team, alongside personnel from the Malaysia Marine Department, Malaysia Petroleum Management, PETRONAS, PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd, Vestigo Petroleum Sdn Bhd, Jadestone Energy (Malaysia), and Jasa Merin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Mazlan emphasized that the MMEA will continue the operation until the vessel is safely handed over to the Malaysia Marine Department.