Thai Fishing Boats Detained

Wednesday, 10 December, 2008 | 16:42 WIB

 

TEMPO Interactive, Batam:The Indonesian Navy arrested four Thai fishing boats found illegally catching fish on the Natuna waters last Monday. The four boats are now detained at the Tanjungpinang Naval Base, at the Riau Archipelago. The Western Armada Maritime Security commander, Junior Admiral Sugeng Darmawan, said the Thai fishermen took advantage of the quiet period when Indonesians celebrated the Muslim holy Idul Adha day last week. “They thought there would be no patrol,” Sugeng said.

 

The boats were detained when the Cut Nyak Dien 375 patrol boat saw a suspicious-looking boat offshore. The Indonesian Navy then sent a speed boat to check and found that the boats were from Thailand. They also found fish in the boat, but they have not estimated the value. The four boats were the MV Amtal-04, MV Thong Chaiwauttana, KM Rambai-05, and the other one was nameless. The Indonesian Navy also arrested 48 members of the ships’ crew.

 

SUPRIYANTO KHAFID