SAR Team Deploys Helicopter to Search for Lost Contact Ship in Anambas

The search process for the Samudra Jaya Maritime KM in the waters of Anambas, using a helicopter on Tuesday (4/8/2026). ANTARA/HO-KPP Natuna

JAKARTA - The joint SAR team of the Anambas Islands Regency, Riau Islands (Kepri), deployed a helicopter to expand the search for the KM Samudra Jaya Kelautan, which was reported missing in local waters.

Head of the Natuna SAR Office Abdul Rahman said the deployment of air elements was carried out on Tuesday, which was the second day of the search operation, to speed up the search area suspected to be the location of the ship's disappearance.

"The team has carried out aerial monitoring at four search points with the route Matak-four search area points-Matak in order to support the second day of SAR operations against the KM Samudra Jaya Kelautan," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 4.

He explained that air monitoring was carried out using a Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter PK-PUW owned by PT Medco Energy International Anambas which was operated by Pelita Air Service.

According to him, the use of helicopters allows the search area to be expanded so that the search process can be carried out faster than relying only on the sea element.

In addition to air, SAR operations were also carried out through the sea element using a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 02 Natuna. However, he continued, the SAR team has not found any signs of the existence of the KM Samudra Jaya Kelautan and the four crew members on board.

The Natuna SAR Office noted that the Samudra Jaya Maritime KM was a 10 Gross Ton (GT) cargo ship, which sailed from Air Sena, Tarempa, to Batam on Saturday (1/8) carrying fish cargo. The ship was scheduled to arrive in Batam on Sunday (2/8).

However, as of Monday (3/8) he has not given any news, so he was reported missing, then a SAR operation was carried out on the day the report was received.

"The four crew members include Samsul Bahri (54), Azan (41), Awang (65) and Handay Yadi (40)," he said.

To speed up the search, he said, the Natuna SAR Office had also sent a coordination telegram to the Tanjungpinang SAR Office and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Putrajaya, Malaysia.

SAR operations involve the Anambas SAR Post, Tarempa Naval, BPBD Anambas Islands Regency, SROP Tarempa, HNSI Anambas Islands Regency, and air support from PT Medco Energy International Anambas.

Abdul Rahman said that the weather conditions during the search operation were relatively supportive with winds blowing from the south at around 12 knots, visibility reaching 10 kilometers, and cloudy weather.

He emphasized that the search would continue by optimizing all sea and air elements until the whereabouts of the KM Samudra Jaya Kelautan and the ship's crew were known.

"We also appeal to fishermen and sailors who pass around the waters of Anambas to immediately report if they find signs of the presence of the ship being sought," he said.