Aceh Fishing Boat Lost Contact For 10 Days, Found Adrift In Andaman Sea
BANDA ACEH - The fishing boat KM Unggul sailing from West Aceh Regency lost contact for ten days. The ship was recently discovered adrift in the Andaman sea area.
Deputy Secretary General of Aceh Laot Commander Miftach Cut Adek said km Unggul first lost contact on May 9 because of engine damage until carried by currents approximately 40 nautical miles over sabang waters, or already approached Nicobar India.
"Then on May 18, 2021 was only found tossed in the Indian Andaman sea by the ship KM Rezla, on May 19, 2021 can only contact the commander of West Aceh Laot," said Miftach Cut Adek quoted Antara, Thursday, May 20.
KM Unggul brought three passengers, Namely Hasan Basri (35) as a skipper and two other crew members (ABK).
KM Unggul departed on April 27, then was monitored by radio at the last position in the exclusive economic zone (ZEE) adjacent to the Nicobar Andaman Islands.
"At that time they were catching fish with fishing rods, but suddenly the ship's engine died so it lost contact in the area," he said.
Then, said Miftach, KM Unggul was found by Banda Aceh fishermen and handed over to the fishing boat KM Rezla, getting the help finally KM Unggul can return to sea with escorts.
"Now their position is still at sea with the escort of KM Rezla, including providing food aid and other necessities," Miftach said.
Miftach expressed his gratitude to the Supervision of Marine Resources and Fisheries (PSDKP) and SAR Banda Aceh for joint efforts to trace the existence of KM Unggul which brought the three fishermen.