BMKG Prediction Response, The Ministry Of Transportation Ordered Identified Harbormasters Stop Shipping If Bad Weather

Illustration. One family went home using the Doro Londa Ship upon arrival at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta. (Between-Reno Esnir)

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation (Ditjen Hublat) of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has prepared a number of mitigation measures for the impact of bad weather for 24 hours from 07.00 WIB on 26-27 December. This action is in response to the weather predictions of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) during that period in Indonesian waters.

Director of the Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP), Kaptain Mugen S Sartoto, said that the Directorate General of Hublat had ordered the Harbormaster, Ship Operators, and Ship Coders to observe the estimated bad weather potential from the BMKG. He stressed that bad weather or high waves could have an impact on shipping safety.

"All harbormasters, shipping or ferry companies, the public should study weather news issued by BMKG periodically every 6 (six) hours," said Mugen, in a written statement, Monday, December 26.

Two pins requested that policy makers and related to shipping not force ships to depart until weather conditions along the waters to be sailed are ensured to be safe.

"And if the weather conditions endanger shipping safety, the harbormaster is asked not to issue a sailing approval letter or SPB," he said.

Mugen added, related to loading and unloading activities, the goods should be monitored regularly to ensure that activities are carried out in an orderly and smooth manner. He asked for the cargo to belashed, the ship not over- drafted and the stability of the ship to remain good.

To all ship operators, especially the skipper, Mugen asked to pay attention to the latest information regarding wind and wave weather conditions and ask for consideration of the harbormaster before the ship departs.

"And in the event that the ship during the cruise finds bad weather, it should immediately take shelter in a safe place with the condition that the ship must remain ready to be moved," he said.

The ship's captain was also asked to re-examine the loading conditions including the distribution of cargo loads, lishing (bonds) of cargo including dangerous cargo (if any) and ensure the ship was equipped with proof of safety certificates in seaworthy condition before the ship departed.

In the event of a ship accident, he asked to immediately coordinate with the local harbormaster and control the oil spill at sea and other consequences, including delays and salvage activities.

"We have alerted patrol ships and continue to coordinate with Basarnas, TNI/Polri in anticipation of possible marine accidents," said Mugen.

Mugen also appealed to the public, especially prospective ship passengers, to always follow the safety and instructions from ship officers.

"Don't force it to go immediately if the weather and waves are not possible for ships to sail, prioritizing shipping safety," he said.