Due To High Waves And Strong Winds, Ferry Crossing On The Kupang-Sabu NTT Route Is Canceled

Illustration - A number of ASDP ferries park at Bolok Harbor, Kupang Regency (Via ANTARA)

KUPANG - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Kupang Branch has canceled its ferry service for the Bolok Port, Kupang Regency to Sabu Island, Sabu Raijua Regency in East Nusa Tenggara due to high waves and strong winds.

"Our Kupang-Sabu ferry crossing service has been canceled since last Wednesday because the weather was not conducive," said PT ASPD Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Kupang Branch Business Manager Hermin Welkis when contacted in Kupang, Antara, Thursday, June 23.

He said that currently bad weather was occurring in the form of high waves and strong winds which could affect inter-regional ferry crossing services in NTT.

However, Hermin Welkis ensured that the cancellation of crossing services only applies to the Kupang-Sabu route, while other routes are still running normally.

"We will of course continue to follow weather information so that if other shipping routes are not conducive, it can be canceled for the sake of shipping safety," he said.

He hopes that prospective passengers who want to take advantage of the canceled ferry services can be patient until the weather conditions improve again.

Currently, ASDP Kupang operates eight ferries in NTT, consisting of five units serving the Bolok Port route to various districts, and three other units serving the districts of Sikka, East Flores, Lembata, and Alor.

Contacted separately, Head of the Tenau-Kupang Maritime Meteorology Station, Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Syaeful Hadi, said the potential for waves of up to 3.5 meters could potentially hit sea waters south of Kupang-Rote.

"The potential for high waves that range from 2.5 to 3.5 meters during June 23-24 is a high risk for ferries, so we need to be careful," he said.

In addition, the wind pattern in the southern part of Indonesia has moved predominantly from east to southeast with speeds ranging from 10-25 knots.

He appealed to ship operators and fishermen to pay close attention to the potential for high waves in the sea waters of NTT so that they can carry out safe and smooth sailings.

"Please continue to monitor the weather conditions conveyed by the BMKG as a reference to anticipate the threat of bad weather in marine waters," said Syaeful Hadi.