Basarnas Air Patrol Ensures Ketapang-Gilimanuk Crossing Is Safe During The Nataru Holiday

Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, East Java, from air monitoring using a helicopter belonging to the Surabaya Basarnas, Monday, December 30, 2024. (ANTARA/Novi Husdinariyanto)

JAKARTA - The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Class A Surabaya, in collaboration with the Banyuwangi Regency Government and a number of stakeholders, held air patrols to monitor the Ketapang (Banyuwangi)-Gilimanuk (Bali) crossing during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holidays.

Head of Operations for the Surabaya SAR Office Basarnas, Didit Arie Ristandy, conveyed that the results of air monitoring on D-2 New Year 2025 showed that the traffic conditions for the Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossing were smooth without significant problems.

"From the results of air monitoring using helicopters, the situation on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossing is under control. There are no incidents that require special attention," said Didit when interviewed in Banyuwangi, Monday (30/12).

The Dauphin AS365 N3+HR-3601 helicopter belonging to Basarnas took off from Banyuwangi Airport at 10:15 WIB to carry out air patrols on the crossing track. In addition, the helicopter also monitors traffic flow in the Balura Forest Pantura area that connects Situbondo and Banyuwangi.

Air monitoring shows the main road conditions in front of Ketapang Port or Gilimanuk Port are empty. There was no queue of ferry users on either side of the port connecting the islands of Java and Bali.

In addition to air patrols, the Surabaya Basarnas has also alerted the KN SAR 249 Permadi ship to support SAR operations at sea. Didit explained that air patrols had been carried out in two periods: 22-24 December 2024 and 29-31 December 2024.

"This helicopter aims to support Basarnas' readiness to provide a quick, precise, and efficient response in dealing with potential accidents or disasters," he explained.

In the air patrol, Basarnas collaborated with various parties, including representatives of the Banyuwangi Navy Base, 0825 Kodim, Satpolairud, and local BPBD.

The Head of BPBD Banyuwangi, Danang Hartanto, expressed his appreciation for Basarnas' support in ensuring preparedness during the Nataru holiday.

"From air monitoring, the main road conditions in Banyuwangi, starting from the south to Ketapang, are monitored smoothly and safely," said Danang.

Basarnas helicopters will continue to be alerted in Banyuwangi until the end of the Nataru holiday period to support efforts to prevent the risk of accidents and disaster management optimally. (Ant)