Speedboat 11 Foreign Tourists Lost Contact in Tomini Bay Waters

Head of the Gorontalo Search and Rescue Office Heriyanto accompanied by Kasie Ops Halidin/ANTARA/Zulkifli Polimengo

JAKARTA - A small motorboat (speedboat) carrying 11 foreign tourists is reported to have lost contact during a cruise from Tojo Una-Una Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, to Marisa, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo.

Head of the Gorontalo Search and Rescue Office (KPP) Heriyanto said his party confirmed that it had received a report of the incident from a Gorontalo resident at 15.40 Wita.

"The information we received from residents on behalf of Mimin, the ship departed from Tojo Una-Una at around 07.00 Wita and should have arrived at Marisa at around 11.00 Wita, because the normal travel estimate is around four hours," said Heriyanto.

The speed boat, according to information, was carrying a total of 13 people, consisting of 11 foreign tourists, one ship captain, and one more was a crew member (abk).

He also clarified information that had been circulating from the Pantai Radio Station (SROP) stating that the ship had been found and towed by a fishing boat.

After the good news was verified, his party confirmed that the information was not true or negative.

Until now, he said, the Gorontalo KPP has not received data regarding the current condition and the whereabouts of the ship and all passengers and crew on board.

Although 11 passengers were known to be foreign nationals, the identity of the foreign tourists' countries of origin is still being investigated.

Following up on this incident, the Gorontalo KPP has coordinated intensively with the Gorontalo Navy Base (Lanal) and SROP to prepare a rescue plan.

He said that the rescue operation tonight had to be postponed and would only begin Saturday morning, due to the bad weather conditions in the local waters at night.

"Tonight the weather is not supportive, the wave height reaches 1.5 to 2.5 meters. If the weather improves, tomorrow morning Danlanal Gorontalo will deploy the Navy Ship (KAL), and our personnel from Pos Marisa will also move to search," he added.