2 Meter Wave Hits a Ship, 3 ABK Rescued by SAR Team in the Waters of Kuala Pangkal Duri Jambi

TANJUNGJABUNG BARAT - A joint SAR team managed to save three crew members whose ship was hit by a big wave and sank in the waters of Kuala Pangkal Duri, West Tanjungjabung Regency, Jambi, Tuesday, January 6.

The SAR team involved in the operation consisted of the Tungkal SAR Standby Unit, Polairud, the Indonesian Navy, and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). The three victims were found to have survived on the sunken ship with the necessary equipment.

Head of the Jambi SAR Office Adah Sudarsa said the sinking of the ship occurred around 01.00 WIB. However, new information was received by the SAR team from the victim's family at 08.00 WIB.

"As soon as we received the report, the joint SAR team immediately moved to the scene," Adah said in a written statement received by Antara, Thursday, January 8.

The sunken ship is known to be a cargo ship with a route from the Lingga Islands to Kuala Pangkal Duri. The three crew members on board the ship were named Andu (61), Pendi (38), and Along (37).

According to Adah, when the waves were two to two and a half meters high, they hit the ship and overturned, eventually sinking.

"At the time of the incident, it is estimated that the waves were big enough to hit their ship so that it overturned and sank in the waters," he said.

The joint SAR team evacuated the three victims using the Basarnas' Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 01. All the victims were then taken to a hospital in Tungkal, West Tanjungjabung Regency, for further medical treatment.

Adah added that Basarnas Jambi appealed to fishermen who were going to sail to be more alert to weather conditions and sea waves. Fishermen are asked to ensure the completeness of safety equipment and check the condition of the ship before sailing.

"If there is a condition that endangers human life, natural disasters, or ship accidents, immediately contact the relevant agency or call the Basarnas call center at number 115," he said.