KSOP Asks Ships In Labuan Bajo To Beware Of Estrem Weather To Prevent Drifting During Anchors

JAKARTA - Labuan Bajo Class III Port Authority and Port Authority (KSOP) have appealed to ship captains to be aware of the potential for extreme weather in the waters of Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"We have issued technical instructions regarding increasing awareness of crew members in preventing larat ships and/or drifting in anchoring situations to prevent ship accidents and to anticipate extreme weather changes," said Head of the Legal Status and Certification Section of the Labuan Bajo KSOP Ship Slamet Pujianta, in Labuan Bajo, Saturday, January 18, confiscated by Antara.

According to him, the appeal to be aware of the potential for extreme weather has been conveyed to the captains and all ship agents and ship operators in the area.

He also explained that the technical instructions were made by taking into account the Circular of the Director General of Sea Transportation. Director of the Sea and Coast Guard Unit Number SE-DJPL 55 of 2024 dated December 20, 2024, concerning Increasing Vigilance of Ship Crews in Preventing Larat Ships and/or Hanyut in a Anchored Situation to Prevent Ship Accidents.

Ship agents, ship operators, and especially the captain were asked to keep the crew in the condition of the guard service according to the arrangement of the guard schedule when the ship sailed and docked to monitor the movement of the ship.

"The ship's engine can always be used in prime conditions, both during normal operations and in conditions of sudden or sudden operation is needed," he said.

In addition, guard officers are also asked to remain at the bridge to monitor the movement of ships and or movement of other ships either visually or through nautical and technical navigation instruments and are ready to give orders to the crew members in terms of urgent movement is needed.

"The guardianship should always monitor the actual weather conditions periodically on the publication of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency and not be allowed to leave the ship without supervision, especially in an unfavorable weather situation," he said.

Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) appealed to fishermen and tourism actors in West Manggarai Regency to increase preparedness and be aware of the potential for high waves in the sea waters of Labuan Bajo.

"The condition of the waters in the Sape Strait, which is part of the Komodo National Park, is predicted to have a wave height ranging from 1.25 meters to 2.5 meters," said Head of Komodoological Meteorological Station Maria Seran.

He added that in bad weather conditions the wave height could have doubled from what was predicted.

"With this condition, perpetrators of activities at sea, such as fishermen, marine tourism operators, and sea transportation users are advised to continue to monitor the latest weather information through the official BMKG channel before carrying out activities at sea," he said.

He asked fishermen, marine tourism operators, and sea transportation users to avoid shipping in areas with the potential for high waves, especially if bad weather warnings have been issued.

"It is hoped that it will always check the readiness of safety equipment, such as buoys and emergency communication equipment before sailing and if necessary delay sea travel if weather conditions worsen," he said.