Bakamla Expels Chinese Coast Guard Ships In North Natuna Sea

Bakamla through KN Tanjung Datu-301 expelled the Chinese coast guard ship in the North Natuna Sea, Riau Islands, Monday (21/10/2024). BETWEEN/HO-Bakamla RI

BATAM - The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) through elements of KN Tanjung Datu 301 expelled the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship which was detected as entering and disrupting the survey and processing of 3D Arwana seismic data in the North Natuna Sea.

The Commander of KN Tanjung Datu 301 Colonel Bakamla Rudi Endratmoko was confirmed in Batam, explaining that initially KN Tanjung Datu 301 received information from the Bakamla RI Command and Control Center (Puskodal) that there was a disruption to the MV Geo Coral survey activity by the Chinese coast guard ship in the working area of PT Prtamina East Natuna.

According to him, at the time of the survey, MV Geo Corl was accompanied by three Chase Vessel, namely UB Anugerah Bersama 17, AHT PSB Roller, and TB Teluk Bajau Victory.

"Based on this information, KN Tanjung Datu-301 moved towards the incident and detected the CCG 5402 ship at 05.30 WIB," said Rudi as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, October 21.

The ship, he continued, was detected at 125 degrees with a distance of 7.3 nautical miles (nm), entering the Indonesian continental shelf in the North Natuna Sea.

Before the eviction was carried out, he said, KN Tanjung Datu-301 communicated via radio with the Chinese ship. However, the CCG 5402 ship insists that the region is part of the country's jurisdiction.

As of 05.38 WIB, KN Tanjung Datu-301 received strength assistance from the Indonesian Navy Patrol Vessel KRI Sutedi Senapura 378 and the Indonesian Bakamla maritime air partoli aircraft.

"Together, the two Indonesian marine patrol boats carried out prayer and succeeded in expelling the CCG 5402 ship out of Indonesia's jurisdiction in the North Natuna Sea," he said.

Rudi emphasized that Bamkamla continues to carry out intensive patrols and monitoring in the North Natuna Waters area to ensure seismic survey activities run without interruption to maintain Indonesia's sovereignty and sovereign rights.

"This operation also reflects Bakamla RI's commitment to maintaining maritime order and security in Indonesia's strategic waters," said Rudi.