High Waves in North Maluku Waters, BMKG Asks Sea Transportation Users to Be Alert

Illustration of traditional fishermen hit by high sea waves to find fish. (Between)

MALUKU - BMKG urges sea transportation users in North Maluku to be alert for high waves accompanied by strong winds with speeds reaching 50 km per hour.

The Sultan Baabullah Ternate Class I Meteorological Station Weather Forecaster, Zaki Alin Nuary, said the high potential for bad weather especially hit the waters of West Halmahera and Ternate City.

"We have issued an early wave warning to all sea transportation users to be aware of increasing waves due to high wind speeds. The weather early warning alerts the potential for increased wind speed in the Ibu, Loloda, Batangdua, Ternate, Tidore, Hiri, Jailolo, and surrounding areas," said Zaki, Monday 25 September, as reported by Antara.

The potential for sea waves reaching 2 meters in various waters in North Maluku will take effect in the next two days or from September 25 to October 1, 2023.

Apart from that, he continued, currently most of North Maluku has the potential for light to moderate rain, especially in the Wasile, Bacan, Weda, and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Class II Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) Office for Ternate City, Rushan Muhammad, when contacted, stated that currently inter-island shipping activities from Ternate to various areas are still permitted.

"We continue to monitor weather developments and current water conditions, but shipping activities in North Maluku are still normal, but if weather conditions interfere with the safety of transportation users, of course, the KSOP will postpone shipping activities," he said.

Previously, the KSOP postponed all shipping activities some time ago, due to bad weather conditions accompanied by strong winds, which endangered safety when sailing.

According to him, the postponement of all shipping activities was to anticipate losses of life and property at sea, so that all shipping, from local passenger ships, ferries, to pioneer ships were postponed.