Good News For Ambonese! Pelni Pioneer Ship Starts Operation After Sailing Ban Is Lifted

Pelni Pilot Ship (DOK ANTARA)

AMBON - PT Pelni Ambon Branch stated that the ban on sailing due to extreme weather had been lifted. So that the pioneer ship service is active again in Maluku Province starting today.

Operations Manager of PT Pelni Ambon Branch Mohammad Asegaff said the pioneer ship Sabuk Nusantara (Sanus) 71 had served passengers and delivered goods from Ambon to Southeast Maluku Regency to Southwest Maluku according to its shipping route.

"So today, July 19, 2022, the plan is at 20.00 WIT, KM Sanus 71 will depart," he said in Ambon, Antara, Tuesday, July 19.

He said the Sanus 71 was supposed to depart on July 15, but there was a delay due to a sailing ban due to extreme weather.

There are quite a lot of potential passengers from this ship, because they will stop at the ports of Amahai, Serua, Nila, Teon, Bebar, Hulur, Romang, Kisar, Leti, Moa, Lakor, Luang, Lelang, Tepa, Lewa, Kron, Kroin, Marsela, Samlaki, Tual, and returned to Ambon.

"The ship's cargo has gone up, ticket sales are currently underway, while fuel filling is in progress, and the plan is to leave at 20.00 WIT," he said.

"Tonight's departure has also been agreed with the captain of the ship who is willing to depart. So we cannot force conditions like this to keep leaving, if the captain does not dare, it cannot be forced for the safety of passengers," continued Asegaff.

He added that there were new rules regarding health protocols for Pelni ships and pioneer ships, namely the obligation for a third vaccine or booster for passengers to be able to board the ship directly.

As for the new second vaccine, he continued, it is mandatory to show a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result and the first vaccine must show the results of the PCR test.

"As for children aged 6-17 years, if they have the second vaccine, they are also free, and children aged 0-6 are free to follow their parents," said Asegaff.