Amid The Probabilities Of Extreme Weather, Tourism Ships In Labuan Bajo Are Advised Not To Bow Without Permission

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - The Class III Port Authority (KSOP) Office of Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara appealed to tourist ships not to sail without permission or to sail in the midst of the possibility of extreme weather predicted by the BMKG.

"Don't sail without permission. As a regulator, we recommend that if you don't have an emergency, you don't have to sail to Padar or in the Komodo National Park area," said Labuan Bajo Chief of KSOP Hasan Sadili in Labuan Bajo, quoted from Antara, Friday, December 20.

BMKG Komodo Labuan Bajo Meteorological Station has issued an early warning of extreme weather which will last until January 2, 2023. Based on the weather forecast, the Labuan Bajo Class III KSOP issued a circular to postpone the departure of a special ship for tourism vessels in the waters of West Manggarai.

Hasan said the circular was issued to protect the safety of tourists and ships from potential disasters due to extreme weather predicted by the BMKG.

He conveyed that this policy would be adjusted to the existing weather conditions. If weather conditions begin to improve, the ship will be given a sailing permit. However, if not, the ship is not allowed to sail without obtaining a sailing agreement or port clearance which is proof of fulfilling the ship's seaworthiness requirements before sailing.

He said some bad events with the ship had occurred because the ship sailed without obtaining approval. KSOP has also taken legal action for crew members who endanger the safety of other passengers.

Hasan appealed to the owners of tourist ships to refrain in the midst of this extreme weather for the sake of mutual safety, both ships and passengers.

If the ship is sailing and the weather turns bad, the ship must pull over to the nearest island to take cover from strong winds that could occur at any time.

"We also urge fishing boats, especially traditional boats that have limited safety equipment to pay attention to weather conditions both on land and sea," he stressed.

From data belonging to the Class III KSOP Labuan Bajo, as many as 603 sailing approvals have been given to tourist ships for the period 18 December to 28 December 2022 with the number of passengers reaching 5,979 people during that period.