Babel SAR Team Evacuates Four Lost Contact Fishermen In East Belitung

The joint SAR team in Bangka Belitung Islands Province managed to evacuate four fishermen who lost contact while looking for fish in the waters of Kandas Island, East Belitung.

"Initially, four fishermen along with three other fishermen who were residents of Bird Bath Village, East Belitung on Saturday (5/7) at around 05.00 WIB departed from Bird Beach to fishing ground in the waters of Kandis Island to look for fish using seven boats," said Head of Pangkalpinang Search and Rescue Office I Made Oka Astawa, ANTARA, Sunday, July 6.

When they arrived at the location point, the seven boats then dispersed to fish, at around 11.00 WIB there was a storm, three boats were taken to shelter on Bakau Island, while the other four boats driven by Yadi (49), Ruing (50), Sudar (42), and Muhaijin (49) were unknown.

"They lost contact until 19.30 WIB. Bad weather conditions since the day before were the main factors causing the incident," he said.

The victim's family then reported the incident to the Head of the Bird Bath Hamlet, which was then conveyed to the Pangkalpinang Search and Rescue Office to ask for SAR assistance.

The joint SAR team consisting of Rescuers of the Belitung SAR Post, Rescuer USS Tanjungpandan, Satpolairud of the East Kalimantan Police, and BPBD of East Kalimantan Regency will immediately conduct searches and evacuation efforts.

The search for the fishermen was supported by eight ships belonging to fellow victims and one rigid inflatable boat unit belonging to Basarnas.

The search was carried out by combing and dispersing around the waters of Kandis Island to Elang Island. Yadi was found by fishermen who were around the waters at 02.00 WIB on his ship which capsized safely. Then Sudar was found at around 02.30 WIB in a safe condition on his ship which was also in a state overturned.

"Furthermore, the two fishermen were evacuated to Bird Beach Bathing," he said.

The joint SAR team continued the search to the waters of Elang Island, at around 08.30 WIB, Ruing was found in the waters of Bakau Island safely on his capsized ship.

Then Muhaijin was found by the team in the waters of Kandas Island at around 10.45 WIB in a safe condition.

After finding the four fishermen who had lost contact, the team evacuated and escorted the fishing boat to Bird Beach.

"For the success of finding the four fishermen who had disappeared, the SAR operation was officially closed," he said.

According to Oka, bad weather and lack of lighting are obstacles in the search for victims, but with good cooperation with all elements who are members of the joint SAR team, all victims can be found safe.

"The four victims were able to survive on their respective ships with different discovery locations. Thank you to all the joint SAR elements who helped in finding the victims," he said.