It was mid-August 2025, when Malaysia’s east coast buzzed with a curious maritime tale — a “ghost ship”. It found drifting near the Semangkok A offshore oil platform, off Terengganu. Sighted on August 12, the unmanned vessel raised immediate safety concerns. Authorities suspected it might have been involved in a recent tanker fire off Johor on August 7, which tragically caused one fatality and multiple injuries.
Once the ship had been towed to Kemaman Supply Base, a joint team of 17 Hazmat specialists from the Fire and Rescue Department and three Marine Department officers conducted a thorough one-hour inspection on August 15. During the inspection, they combed all three levels of the 53.7-metre vessel using advanced gas-detection tools — specifically, a Four-Gas Meter (FGM) and a Gasmet gas analyser.
Fortunately, the outcome was clear: no hazardous chemicals, dangerous gases, or human remains were detected aboard. A foul odour that had alarmed the team was later traced simply to rotting raw materials in the ship’s refrigerator.
From Ghost Ship to Workplace Safety
This seemingly sensational “ghost ship” incident underscores one critical truth: advanced gas detection is vital — not just at sea, but in all safety-sensitive environments.
- Early Hazard Identification
The Hazmat team’s use of an FGM and Gasmet analyser prevented what could have been a major safety misjudgment. Without them, officials might have feared toxic substances or worse, putting rescue personnel at risk and delaying response actions.
- Enhancing Safety Training
Real-life incidents like the Terengganu ghost ship can be powerful examples in safety training. With our company’s professional-grade gas detectors, employees can learn how to properly monitor environments, interpret readings, and understand the importance of gas detection in preventing accidents.
- Empowering Safety Awareness
For workplaces, communities, and emergency responders, knowing how to detect gas leaks or hazardous substances builds preparedness. It transforms abstract risks into actionable safety practices, strengthening both compliance and confidence.
SAFETYWARE Gas Detector Solutions
Here’s how our gas detector solutions stand out — directly inspired by the ghost ship scenario:
- Multi-Gas Detection:
Just like the Four-Gas Meter and Gasmet units used by Hazmat teams, our devices can monitor for flammable gases, CO, H₂S, and oxygen levels—covering the essentials.
- User-Friendly Interface:
Designed for industrial use with clear visual alarms (LED), audio alerts, and simple readings to support fast decision-making.
- Reliable & Accurate:
Built to meet the demands of hazardous environments, ensuring dependable performance when it matters most.
- Portable & Durable:
Lightweight, robust, and built for both field operations and confined-space applications.
Strengthen Your Safety Strategy together with SAFETYWARE
Safety isn’t just about responding to hazards—it’s about preventing them, understanding them, and ensuring your workforce is prepared.
Inspired by the Terengganu ghost ship incident, we encourage organizations to:
- Equip teams with our advanced gas detector solutions.
- Enhance safety training with real-world scenarios to reinforce awareness.
- Build resilience by empowering employees to recognize and respond to hidden dangers.
Because, whether at sea or in the workplace, detecting danger early can save lives—and the right gas detector makes all the difference.
➡️ Interested? Contact us today at
📧 [email protected] | 📞 +604-502 3882
Sources:
- Malay Mail. (2025, August 15). Terengganu ghost ship cleared of hazards after safety inspection, say authorities.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/08/15/terengganu-ghost-ship-cleared-of-hazards-after-safety-inspection-say-authorities/187802 - Newswav. (2025, August 12). Ghost ship spotted off Terengganu coast, MMEA investigates link to recent tanker accident.
https://newswav.com/article/ghost-ship-spotted-off-terengganu-coast-mmea-investigates-link-to-recent-ta-A2508_osaKOc - The Maritime Executive. (2025, August 13). Malaysia responded to report of ghost ship drifting toward oil rigs.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/malaysia-responded-to-report-of-ghost-ship-drifting-toward-oil-rigs - The Star. (2025, August 15). No bodies found on ‘ghost ship’, stench came from rotting food, says Kemaman maritime chief.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/08/15/no-bodies-found-on-039ghost-ship039-stench-came-from-rotting-food-says-kemaman-maritime-chief - The Star. (2025, August 16). Ghost ship not considered dangerous.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/08/16/ghost-ship-not-considered-dangerous - Bernama. (2025, August 15). Ghost ship inspection confirms no hazardous materials found.
https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php/bfokus/general/news.php?id=2457119 - The Edge Malaysia. (2025, August 15). Authorities: Ghost ship posed no threat after inspection.
https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/766826