Had Stopped Due To Bad Weather, Merak-Bakauheni Ship Activities Asked To Be Alert High Waves

The truck that will cross to Sumatra is parked at Pier 2 waiting to enter the ferrie at Merak Port, Banten, Sunday 17 May 2020. (Between-Fathulrahman)

BANTEN - The service of the Bakauheni-Merak ferry returned to normal after being stopped last night due to bad weather. However, the Banten sea transportation to Lampung is still asked to be vigilant considering the potential for high waves has not yet slowed down.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geology Agency (BMKG) reported that the potential for high waves still threatens the activities of the Bakauheni-Merak route ferry through the waters of the northern Sunda Strait. "We predict that the wave height ranges from 1.25 to 2.50 meters," said the BMKG Data and Information Division Coordinator of the Class I Maritime Meteorology Station Serang Tarjono in his statement in Serang, Banten, Friday, December 23, was confiscated by Antara.The high wave alert warning in the waters of the northern Sunda Strait is valid today, Friday, December 23, 2022. The sea wave height ranges from 1.25 meters to 2.50 meters.

Despite being categorized as high waves with moderate limits, Tarjono asked Merak-Bakauheni ferry shipping players to be vigilant.

Previously, on the evening of Thursday, December 22, the Merak-Bakauheni crossing was stopped by the Land Transportation Management Center (BPTD).

Bad weather and strong winds that occur at Merak Port are quite disturbing and endangering the ship for the loading and unloading process. However, the situation at Bakauheni Port is not too extreme compared to Merak.

The Banten Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), related to weather and high waves, said the cessation of the crossing was only situational. "We have given early warnings regarding extreme weather ahead of the new year 2023," said Tarjono. Meanwhile, the height of the Sunda Strait waters south of Banten and the Indian Ocean ranges from 2.50-4.00 meters. The Sunda Strait wave south and the Indian Ocean are categorized high from Carita Beach, Pandeglang Regency to Sawarna Beach, Lebak Regency. "We ask shipping actors, fishermen and tourists to be aware of the high wave in the southern Sunda Strait and the Indian Ocean to avoid marine accidents," he said.