Tourist Boats Off Engine Hit By Extreme Weather, Nine People Successfully Evacuated

KUPANG - Kupang Search and Rescue Office (SAR), West Nusa Tenggara, and a joint team managed to evacuate nine victims of a phinition type tourist boat that died in the middle of the sea in the Savu Sea waters, which had an accident on Saturday.

"This morning the nine victims were rescued and have arrived at the Port of Tenau Kupang," said Head of the Kupang SAR Office, Mexianus Bekabel, quoted by Antara, Sunday, November 16.

Based on information obtained from the victims, it is known that the tourist boat died engine in the middle of the sea due to extreme weather in the form of high waves and strong winds.

As a result, the tourist boat that was about to sail from Kupang to Ende entered seawater, so that it affected the ship's engine and the stability of the tourist boat.

The departing SAR team was led by the Head of the Operations and Alert Section of the Kupang SAR Muhdar and deployed a number of personnel and the KN SAR Antareja 233 ship.

In addition, Bakamla Kupang was also involved, the Kupang Class 1 Health Quarantine Center (Kupang Class 1 BKKK), KSOP Kupang, and SROP Kupang. Assistance support also came from the KMP Lakaan Ferry Ship which happened to cross the scene.

"The rescue and evacuation process is also not easy, because of high waves in the middle of the sea," he said.

Maxianus thanked all those who helped with the evacuation process of the victims of the engine.

"We appreciate all joint SAR elements and especially the captain and KMP crew for their concern and speed of action, so that all victims were rescued in very difficult weather conditions", he said.

He added that the success of the rescue was clear evidence of good synergy between the potential for SAR and the maritime community.

Furthermore, Mexianus emphasized the importance of shipping safety, where each ship must be equipped with safety equipment, especially the EPIRB Radio (Emergency Position Indiscating RadioATAN).

With this tool, he said, in the event of an accident, a danger signal will be emitted and the position of the ship's whereabouts can be immediately known.

"We also urge fishermen and ship operators to always be careful and routinely monitor weather information from the BMKG before deciding to sail," he said.