Hit By Strong Winds, 1 Pinition Collapses In Labuan Bajo NTT Drowning

The phinisi ship navigated the waters of Labuan Bajo, NTT. (Mahmur Maranti-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Labuan Bajo Port Authority and Harbormaster Office (KSOP) stated that one pinisi unit was damaged until it sank due to waves accompanied by rain and strong winds on Friday, January 31.

"The ship is not operating because the engine has been damaged since last year," said Head of KSOP Labuan Bajo Stephanus Risdiyanto when met in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Friday, January 31, confiscated by Antara.

He explained that at 03.00 WITA the tourist boat named Presley Jalasena which docked in the waters of the Kampung Ujung Labuan Bajo was hit by large waves as well as rain and strong winds 20-30 knots.

As a result of the bad weather, he continued, the mooring of the bow of the ship broke so that the ship was swept away and fell to the beach and collided with the embankment, causing the ship to sink.

"There were no casualties and at the time of the incident there were two ship guards," he said.

He added that the Labuan Bajo Class III KSOP together with the West Manggarai Police and Air Unit personnel then carried out security of the ship's skeleton and the removal of ship debris so as not to interfere with the flow of other ships.

"We also bind the ship's body so as not to be washed away," he said.

Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) appealed to residents of West Manggarai Regency to be aware of the potential for extreme weather that is predicted to occur in six days, from January 29 to February 3, 2025.

"We appeal to the public to anticipate the impact that can be caused by these extreme weathers, such as floods, flash floods, landslides, fallen trees, damaged buildings and other public facilities," said Head of Komodoological Station Maria Seran.

He added that the appeal was issued referring to a press release issued by Eltari Kupang Meteorological Station Number: eB/ME.02.04/004/KKOEI/2025 on January 28, 2025, regarding the potential for extreme weather in the NTT region.

"Extreme weather in the form of light to heavy rain which can be accompanied by lightning and strong winds has the potential to occur in Komodo, Boleng, Mbeling, Sano Nggoang, Macang Dating, Dating, Welak, Lembor, South Lembor, West Kuwus, Kuwus, and Ndoso," he said.

In connection with the potential for extreme weather, he continued, fishermen, tourism actors, and users of sea transportation in the waters around West Manggarai, were asked to be careful when there would be rain and strong winds that could significantly increase the wave height and surface current from those that had been predicted.