Pangkalpinang SAR Searches for Fishing Boat Lost Contact in Belinyu Waters

The SAR team conducted a search for a fisherman from Rua, Ternate City, who was reported to have been swept away (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Pangkalpinang Search and Rescue Team, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, is searching for a fishing boat from Pulau Tujuh, Riau Islands Province, which was declared lost contact in the Belinyu Waters, Bangka.

"We conducted this search after receiving information about an incident involving a fishing boat that lost contact in those waters," said Head of the Pangkalpinang Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, I Made Oka Astawa, in a written statement, Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

He explained that the 12-meter-long fishing boat with brown characteristics was a boat belonging to fishermen from Pulau Tujuh, Lingga Regency, Riau, captained by Rahimmin (L/45). On December 31, 2024, at around 05.00 WIB, the boat departed from the Belinyu Dam pier, Bangka Regency, Babel, heading for Pulau Tujuh carrying shopping goods in preparation for the New Year's celebration.

The victim's family estimated that the boat should have arrived at Pulau Tujuh at around 10.00 WIB, but it had not arrived until the afternoon.

The family then conducted a search by tracing the ship's route until Wednesday (1/1/2025), but the victim's ship was not found.

The victim's family then reported the incident to the Pangkalpinang Search and Rescue Office to ask for help searching for the ship.

"After receiving this information, we immediately dispatched a search team to the location of the incident to help find the victim's ship," he said.

His party also coordinated with various related parties to assist the search process, namely the Indonesian Navy, Polairud, and also the victim's family in the search process.

"Until now the search process is still ongoing and we have not found the ship. For now the weather conditions in the waters of Babel are still not good, of course it is our joint vigilance," he said.

The Basarnas team and the joint team will make maximum efforts in searching for the victims.

"Hopefully the search for the victims will soon produce results and the victims can be found safe," he said.

He reminded the public who usually carry out activities in the waters to always be vigilant, pay attention and prepare their own safety equipment.