Indonesian Warships Save Malaysian Fishing Boats In Riau Islands Waters

KRI Sigalu - 857 provided assistance to Malaysian fishing vessels that experienced engine failure in the waters of the Northeast, Cula Island, Riau Islands Province (Kepri), Wednesday (1/3/2023). (ANTARA)

TANJUNGPINANG - The warship KRI Sigalu-857 managed to save a Malaysian fishing boat that experienced engine failure and was adrift in the waters of the Northeast, Cula Island, Riau Islands Province (Kepri).

At the time of the incident, KRI Sigalu-857 with the Commander of Marine Major (P) Adhi Yuda Nugraha was carrying out Operation Guard Indosin-23 under the Control of Operations of the Marine Combat Group Koarmada I (Guspurla I) with the operations sector around the Riau Islands waters.

"On March 1, 2023 when KRI Sigalu-857 was carrying out operational duties, received information from TB. SG Peace that there was a Malaysian fishing boat that was damaged in the Riau Islands waters," said Commander of Koarmada I Rear Admiral TNI Erwin S Aldedharma, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, March 2.

After the report, he said, KRI Sigalu-857 then moved to the location and found that the fast patrol boat of the Malaysian fisheries apparatus had turned off and was adrift in the middle of the ocean.

As for the actions taken, namely pulling the Malaysian fishing boat and anchoring at a safe position south of Pemping Island.

"At the time of the anchor trip, 857 provided first aid by checking health and providing food and drinks, asking the identity of the ship, personnel and checking the condition of the ship," said Commander of Koarmada I.

From the inspection, according to him, data on the name of the PL 87 ship was obtained with the owner of the Malaysian Fisheries Position. The fast boat has a length of 7 meters, a width of 3 meters, a draft of 1 meter with a motor that drives 2 150 PK of the attached motor.

Meanwhile, there are four crew members or crew members, namely Fatimah Binti Razak as an officer in charge, with three subordinates, namely Zaharin Bin Baharudin, Halim Bin Sanip and Marzuki Bin Jusoh.

"Privates 857 also checked the engine and found the cause of the engine damage or abnormalcy due to the accu drop and then handled with the second accu charge in 857," he said.

Furthermore, the incident was reported to the Commander of Guspurla Koarmada I, First Admiral of the TNI Heri Triwibowo, then coordinated with the Malaysian Maritime Strengthening Agency (APMM) and it was agreed to pick up by the APMM ship at the RV position at the coordinates 01o 12.878 U - 103o 31.140 T, namely in the south of Tanjung Pe Pelepas Johor or northwest of Nipah Island, Riau Islands.

After that, at around 19.30 WIB, Wednesday (1/3) night, KRI Sigalu-857 met with the APMM ship in an RV position that had been agreed upon.

The elements of the APMM that picked up were KM Ramunia 3221, KM 1501, and PL 39, then the process of handing over PL 87 along with its crew to Malaysian government ships. The delivery process went smoothly and safely even though it was constrained by waves, strong winds and rain.

The Commander of Koarmada I really appreciates the success of the 857 rescue and rescue activities.

This, he continued, was a form of application of military operations other than the war and diplomacy of the Indonesian Navy in establishing good relations and cooperation with friendly countries, especially Malaysia.

"This is in line with the daily order of the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali, namely the readiness of operations, both defense equipment and operating units, followed by the ability to answer the call of duty which is currently developing dynamically," said Commander of Koarmada I in his statement.