JAKARTA - The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) successfully thwarted a piracy attempt targeting a coal carrier in the Balikpapan area, East Kalimantan, last Wednesday.
Bakamla Lieutenant Colonel Adi Poetra Sitanggang, Commander of the KN Pulau Marore-322, explained that Bakamla personnel were conducting a night patrol when they received a report of a suspicious wooden vessel suspected of being pirates.
The vessel reportedly approached the tugboat TB Kingston 818 and the barge Asiabay 106 at coordinates 00°39'14"S – 117°53'33"E at 9:28 PM Central Indonesian Time (WITA). The two vessels were known to be carrying coal weighing a total of 7,407 metric tons.
Following up on the report, Adi Poetra immediately moved his vessel to the location.
The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) Visit Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team then successfully seized the wooden vessel KM Bunga Lestari 03, suspected of involvement in the piracy attempt, at around 10:30 PM WITA.
"We successfully secured the KM Bunga Lestari 03, suspected of involvement in the piracy attempt," said Adi Poetra in an official Bakamla press release received by Antara News Agency in Jakarta on Thursday, October 16.
The piracy incident occurred in the waters of East Kalimantan.
From the initial investigation, officers confiscated several pieces of evidence from the vessel, including two machetes, seven shovels, and three cell phones. Officers also arrested five suspected perpetrators, identified as W (40), N (22), Z (38), A (21), and M (33).
"All suspected perpetrators, along with the wooden vessel KM Bunga Lestari 03, were taken to KN Pulau Marore-322 for safekeeping," he said.
Meanwhile, the captain of the TB Kingston 818 and all crew members are confirmed safe and have provided initial statements to Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla).
Adi emphasized that this action is clear evidence of Bakamla's firm commitment to safeguarding Indonesian maritime security from the threat of maritime crime.
"With this action, we hope to have an impact "This will deter and prevent the intentions of parties who want to carry out similar actions in Indonesian waters," he said.
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