Three Vietnamese-flagged Fishing Boats Arrested By The Indonesian Navy In Natuna

KRI Tjiptadi-381 and KRI Tuanku Imam Bonjol-383 BKO Marine Combat Group Koarmada I captured a Vietnamese-flagged foreign fishing vessel (KIA) / Antara

BATAM - KRI Tjiptadi-381 and KRI Tuanku Imam Bonjol-383 BKO Marine Combat Group Koarmada I caught three Vietnamese-flagged foreign fishing boats catching fish in the North Natuna Sea, Tuesday, January 11.

The commander of KRI Tjiptadi (TPD)-381 Marine Lt. Col. (P) Irwan, said that his party detected KIA radar contact while carrying out an operation to enforce the sovereignty and law of the sea in the Natuna Sea. When approached, he saw a boat catching fish using a trawler.

"On January 10, 2022 at 22:05 WIB Position 04 55 24 U - 107 14 12 T (43 NM northwest of Laut Island) we detected a contact without a light, then we approached it and identified it as a Vietnamese fishing vessel, then we carried out pursuit procedures arrest and investigation (Jarkaplid)," said Lt. Col. Irwan as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, January 12.

Based on the examination, a foreign fishing vessel (KIA) with a signal of BTH 2122 TS is suspected of illegally catching fish in ZEEI waters without being equipped with legal documents.

"On this initial suspicion, we arrested and escorted KIA BTH 2122 TS along with 12 crew members including the captain and KKM to the Sabang Mawang Lanal Ranai Navy Pier for further processing," he said.

Meanwhile, KRI Tuanku Imam Bonjol also arrested two ships. Vietnamese-flagged foreign fish suspected of illegally catching fish in the ZEEI waters of the North Natuna Sea.

"When KRI Tuanku Imam Bonjol (IBL)-383 was patrolling the BKO Guspurla Koarmada I, it found a radar contact at position 05 01 00 U – 107 42 25 T (23 NM Northwest of Pulau Laut), and after being approached visually identified 2 ships. Vietnamese foreign fish work hand in hand to catch fish, then the Jarkaplid procedure will be carried out," said the Commander of KRI IBL-38 Marine Lt. Col. (F) Ivan Halim.

Based on the initial inspection, evidence was found, the two fishing boats had the markings BTH 2121 TS and BTH 2122 TS illegally caught fish in ZEEI waters, North Natuna Sea, and were crewed by 4 people and 10 people, including the skipper and KKM.

From the three KIA, it was found that the mixed fish cargo was less than 1 tonne, the cargo was thought to have been transferred to a collectorship.

Currently, the three Vietnamese foreign fishing vessels are at the Navy Pier of Sabang Mawang Lanal Ranai for further processing.