After KMP Batumandi Ran Aground, 393 Passengers Headed For Merak Using A Replacement Ship

KMP Batumandi arrives at Bakauheni Port after running aground for five hours on Panjurit Island, Lampung, Wednesday, July 13. (ANTARA/HO-Basarnas)

LAMPUNG - The Lampung National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) office said the Batumandi Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) which had run aground on Panjurit Island had been successfully evacuated.

"Regarding the shipwreck of the Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) Batumandi on Panjurit Island, it has been successfully evacuated," said Head of Basarnas Lampung Deden Ridwansyah when contacted, Wednesday night July 13.

He said, at 16.19 WIB, the ship was successfully pulled out of the aground location with the help of the tugboat 28 Merak and sea riders.

"Initially we were going to use the large Basarnas ship in Panjang Harbor, but the distance was too long. So we used the closest one for evacuation by tugboat and sea rider, although it failed several times due to receding sea water, this afternoon we managed to return to the sea route," he said, according to Antara.

He explained that at 15.00 WIB, a gradual evacuation of the passengers of KMP Batumandi had been carried out beforehand.

"This afternoon, we had the opportunity to evacuate 41 passengers, namely 30 people on tugboats, and 11 people on sea riders. However, because the ship can be towed and returned to Bakauheni Port, the rest of the passengers have been delivered by KMP Batumandi," he said.

For the number of Basarnas officers who were dispatched during the evacuation, there were 14 people on standby tugboats and sea riders.

"Under any circumstances, we are ready to be on standby if there is a similar event, and erratic weather conditions may result in high waves, so we are ready to coordinate with relevant agencies for preparedness actions," he said.

Previously, KMP Batumandi, which was about to travel to Merak Harbor, suffered engine damage, causing it to run aground on Panjurit Island.

Deden said the cargo of KMP Batumandi was 393 people, and vehicles were 148 units. He said all of them were declared safe and had returned to Bakauheni Port.

After that, passengers continue the crossing to Merak Harbor with a replacement ship.