20 Indonesian Crew Members Fukuei-Maru Who Ran Aground In Japan's Izu Islands Return To Indonesia Tomorrow

The crew members of the Fukuei-Maru Ship are currently conducting a data collection process at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Thursday (7/3). (KBRI Tokyo)

JAKARTA - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Tokyo handled 20 Indonesian citizens of the Japanese-flagged tuna fishing ship (ABK) Fukuei-Maru No.8 which ran aground in the Izu Islands, Tokyo, Sunday (3/3).

"Alhamdulillah, all my friends are safe and healthy. Welcome back to the country to gather with their families. It's safe to be home again," said Ambassador Heri to 20 crew members who were processing consular documents at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, March 7.

Heri expressed his gratitude because the Indonesian crew members survived.

"Please convey what is lacking, we will help all from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo. I will convey to the relevant officials, including in Kagoshima, about what happened. Once again I convey my deepest gratitude, all in good health," he said.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday (7/3) issued a Passport Travel Letter (SPLP) to facilitate the repatriation of Indonesian crew members to Indonesia because their passports were also washed away at sea.

The crew had the opportunity to rest at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo before leaving for their homeland on Friday (8/3) at 00.00 in the morning local time.

The Director General of Sea Transportation of the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation Antoni Arif on the same occasion had a dialogue with the entire crew of the ship.

In addition to giving thanks for the safety of all Indonesian crew members, Antoni ensured the commitment of the Indonesian government to provide protection to all Indonesian citizens working on international shipping.

Also present in this activity were the Coordinator of the Consular Protocol Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Nahilal Hamzah Point, Arya Pradhana Anggakara Immigration Attache and Ikhsandy Wanto Hatta Transportation Attach.

Information regarding the accident of the Tuna Fishing Boat, Fukuei-maru was obtained by the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo at the beginning of the incident from the Japanese Coast Guard (JGC) in Shimoda, Shizuoka.

Coordination is carried out with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens.

The Fukuei-maru ship suffered engine failure and ran aground in the Izu Islands, Tokyo at around 17.00 local time on Sunday (3/3).

The ship was hit by waves as high as 2.5 meters, causing the ship to tilt to 45 degrees. On Monday (4/3) at 04.00 local time, the ship ran aground on the north side of Kozushima, Izu Islands, Tokyo. All Indonesian crew members were safe and evacuated using the JCG Shimoda helicopter to the nearest hospital in Kozushima, Tokyo.

Yantho Tohis (46 years), a crew member who had worked for four years on the ship's engine, told the incident.

I'm on duty on the engine. When the ship went off, the engine turned off. The three of me with two Japanese engine crews. I tried to make the engine work through filter cleaning so that the fuel could flow smoothly to the generator, but it was difficult to do because it took time?" he and the crew took off but hit because of the hard waves. "The ship was floating and ran aground on the rock because the anchor was damaged. At 6 am help came by helicopter. Thank you to the friends of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo for your help," said Yantho.

The Fukuei-maru ship number 8, is sailing from Kagoshima Harbor in Kagoshima Prefecture to South American marine waters to catch tuna.

The total number of crew members is 25 people, consisting of one captain, two officers, and 22 crew members. Of the 25 people, 20 crew members are Indonesian citizens.