Natuna Basarnas Evacuation Of Ship Passengers Ran Aground In Anambas Waters

Basarnas Natuna when evacuating the victim on Sunday, September 15, 2024 night. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Search and Rescue Office (KPP) or Natuna Basarnas, Riau Islands evacuated passengers of the 166 Inkana Maritime motorboat (KM) which ran aground in the waters of the Anambas Islands Regency.

Head of the Sub-Section of Operations for KPP Natuna Budiman said the incident occurred on Sunday, September 15 at 19.40 WIB.

Passengers, he said, are junior high school (SMP) 2 Siantan students who want to return to Tarempa (Regency Capital) after competing in soccer in Air Langat Village.

"The number of passengers is estimated at 105 people," Budiman said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, September 16.

He explained that the evacuation was carried out at 20.25 WIB after preparations with stakeholders.

"At 20.05 WIB the joint SAR team made preparations, then at 20.10 they headed to the scene," said Budiman.

In the evacuation process, the Natuna Basarnas deployed elements of those in Anambas, namely the Anambas SAR Post and assisted by other stakeholders, namely Lanal Tarempa, Anambas Police, Anambas Islands Regency Government and HNSI Anambas.

"All passengers were successfully evacuated and there were no casualties," he said.

He explained that the victims were evacuated at two points, namely 36 people at Antang Harbor, and 69 people at the Tarempa Regional Government Port.

"36 people were evacuated using RIB 02 Anambas SAR Post, RIB BPBD and RIB of the Anambas Mobile Health Center (Puskel), and 69 people were evacuated using KM Abadi Fisherman," he said.

Budiman added that during the evacuation of cloudy weather with wind speeds of 2-20 knots and wave heights of 0.5-1.25 meters.

"At 22.20 WIB, the joint SAR team conducted an evaluation and agreed to close the operation considering that all victims were successfully evacuated," he said.