A Malaysian man posing as a naval officer has been detained with two friends for attempting to sneak aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a port call in Malaysia, reports said today.

The New Straits Times said the Malaysian trio allegedly used fake identity cards and documents to breach three levels of security last Friday before an alert policeman checked their credentials with the defence ministry.

"We have obtained a six-day remand order to investigate the unauthorised presence of three men near the ship," Mohamed Jamil Mohamed Ayub, a senior police officer at Port Klang, told the Star daily.

No spying gadgets found

Police did not find any explosives, equipment of spying gadgets on the men, who were aged between 42 and 62, he said.

The Star said the 62-year-old who presented himself as a former lieutenant-commander in the Royal Malaysian Navy admitted he attempted the ruse because he and his village friends were eager to see the giant vessel up close.

Also on Friday, two other men were detained for taking pictures near the security area surrounding the carrier, Mohamed Jamil added.

The USS Nimitz, which is the world's largest aircraft carrier, departed Port Klang on Monday after a five-day port call.