Indonesian Navy Evacuates Nine Boat Passengers Hit By High Waves In Sangihe Waters

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

MANADO - The Indonesian Navy's Main Base (Lantamal) VIII evacuated eight passengers and the captain of the boat that were hit by high waves around the waters of Marore Island and Kawio Island, Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi.

Kadispen Lantamal VIII Marine Major (KH) Samuel Pontoh said information about the ill-fated boat was obtained by the Marine Post (Posal) Marore Marore from the community who reported that there was a pumboat type boat that almost sank.

The boat, named The Savior of King and weighing 2 GT, carried eight passengers and the captain. The boat used to carry passengers from Kawio Island to Maore Island.

While in the waters around Marore Island and Kawio Island waters, the boat was hit by a high wave of about 1.5 to 2 meters causing water to enter the boat making the boat almost sink.

Based on this information, Posal Marore which is under Lanal Tahuna immediately conducts Search and Rescue (SAR) assisted by the community.

The SAR team using RHIB (Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats) marine patrol boats and community-owned pumboats targeted the waters around Marore Island and Kawio Island, and at positions 04 40 936 North Latitude and 125 25 883 East Longitude about 4 miles from Kawio Island. The pumboat was found almost drowned.

Furthermore, the SAR Team immediately evacuated 8 passengers and the captain and pumboat of The Savior of King safely to Kawio Island.

"Arriving on Kawio Island, the Commander of Posal Marore coordinated with Kapitalaung or the local government, Syahbandar and Kaposad Pukau Kawio and handed over 8 passengers and the captain and the pumboat in a safe condition," he said.

In relation to this incident, the Commander of Lantamal VIII Brigadier General TNI (Mar) I Wayan Ariwijaya, appealed to all sea users in the Lantamal VIII working area to always pay attention to weather conditions when sailing, and if the weather is bad not to make a voyage.

"In addition, ships must always be equipped with adequate communication equipment and safety equipment according to the number of ship passengers," said Danlantamal Ariwijaya.