Ternate Basarnas Reports An Overturned Longboat In Batan Dua Waters

TERNATE - The Ternate Basarnas Search and Rescue Office, reported that a longboat was reported to have capsized and drowned while fishing in the waters between Batan Dua Island and Ternate City, North Maluku, today.

Kasubsie Operasi dan Siaga, F. Jofandri Rugebret menyampaikan, setelah menerima informasi, tim rescue segera diberangkatkan menuju lokasi kejadian perkara.

"The Rescue Team of the Ternate SAR Office together with related elements have moved to LKK using KN SAR 237 Pandudewanata to carry out search operations for victims so far it has not been identified," explained Rugebret in Ternate, Antara, Wednesday, December 3.

In this search operation, a number of elements were also deployed, namely the Ternate SAR Office, Tidore City BPBD, and the victim's family. Until this news was revealed, the identity of the victim was still not confirmed due to the lack of information received from the initial witness.

SAR operations continue to be carried out by combing the area around the clump and points that have the potential to be the location of the victim's whereabouts. Weather conditions as well as the water situation around Batan Dua Ternate are also the team's attention in the field to ensure the safety of personnel and effectiveness of the search.

Basarnas Ternate appealed to fishermen and sea transportation users to remain alert to weather conditions and ensure complete safety before their activities at sea. SAR also asked people who have additional information regarding the whereabouts of victims to report immediately.

The incident was reported to the Ternate Search and Rescue Office (SAR) by Fajri Ismail, the victim's colleague, after receiving direct news from the victim by telephone.

According to information received, the incident occurred at around 08.00 WIT. At the time of the incident, the victim was fishing around the FAD area. Suddenly, the longboat used was reportedly reversed due to an unknown condition, until it finally sank. The victim who had fallen into the sea tried to save himself by swimming towards one of the closest clumps.

After reaching the FAD, it was found that the victim was unable to return to the village of origin because he did not have transportation facilities and water conditions that did not allow him to swim further. In a trapped condition in the middle of the sea, the victim then contacted his colleague in the village to ask for help before the official report was submitted to the Ternate Basarnas.