Bakamla Expels 5 Chinese-flagged Vessels To Anchor In Bintan Riau Islands Waters

Bakamla RI driving away Chinese fishing vessels anchoring in the North Waters of Tanjung Berakit, Bintan, Riau Islands, Wednesday (11/9/2024). (ANTARA/HO-Bakamla RI)

JAKARTA - The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) has expelled five Chinese-flagged fishing vessels that were caught anchoring in the North Waters of Tanjung Berakit, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands (Kepri), Wednesday, September 11.

Using the Tanjung Datu 301 State Ship (KN), Bakamla took action after the ship was detected by the Batam traffic system (VTS) monitoring system on Tuesday, September 10.

"KN Tanjung Datu 301 is following up on the VTS Batam report regarding the Chinese-flagged fish kapa which is anchored in the waters north of Tanjung Berakit," said Colonel Bakamla Rudi Endratmoko as Commander of KN Tanjung Datu 301 in Batam, Wednesday, September 11, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the 5 Chinese fishing vessels were detected by VTS Batam anchoring in 22NM north of Tanjung Berakit with coordinates: 1° 23.099 N 104°34,223 E on Tuesday 10 September afternoon.

Knowing this, VTS Batam carried out radio channel 16 contact on the 5 Chinese fishing vessels.

"But there was no response from the 5 Chinese ships," he said.

Because there was no response, the Batam VTS at 16.00 WIB coordinated with KN Tanjung Datu 301 to carry out an in-depth investigation regarding the existence of the ship in Indonesian waters.

According to him, the five Chinese fishing vessels are indicated to carry out anchorage in the waters north of Tanjung Berakit to wait for queues to enter Singapore's port.

At 20.00 WIB, he continued, his party coordinated the Directorate of Marine Operations of Bakamla RI.

An hour later, at 21.00 WIB, the Tanjung Datu KN Commander 301 held a meeting with the Tanjung Datu 301 KN VBSS Team to prepare a plan for the implementation of the examination.

This step was taken, because the distance from KN Tanjung Datu 301 to the coordinates of the location of the 5 Chinese fishing vessels was 43 NM.

On Wednesday, September 11 at 04.00 WIB, KN Tanjung Datu 301 ordered to deploy 2 VBSS teams to the location of the 5 Chinese ships.

"At 06.00 WIB this morning, the KN Tanjung Datu 301 VBSS Team overshadowed the 5 Chinese fishing vessels, so they moved away from Batam to the traffic separation scheme (TSS) in Singapore," said Rudi.