High Wave Potential In Indonesian Waters, BMKG Asks Cargo Ships And Alert Feri

Galala ferry port in Sofifi, North Maluku (Malut). (Antaranews)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) asked the public to be aware of high waves that could potentially occur in several areas of Indonesia's waters on October 10-11, 2022.

"Be aware of high waves up to four meters in a number of Indonesian waters," said Head of the Maritime Meteorology Center, BMKG, Eko Prasetyo, who was confirmed Monday, October 10.

He revealed that the wind pattern in the northern part of Indonesia is dominantly moving from Southeast-West Day with wind speeds ranging from 5-20 knots, while in the southern part of Indonesia it is dominantly moving from the East-Tenggara with wind speeds ranging from 5-20 knots.

The highest wind speed was observed in the waters of the Anambas Islands-Kep. Natuna, Makassar Strait, north, and Banda Sea. This condition, he continued, led to an opportunity to increase the waves as high as 1.25-2.5 meters.

The potential for high waves occurred in the western waters of Aceh-Kep. Mentawai, eastern waters of P. Simeulue, Bengkulu waters, southern Lampung Bay, southern Sape Strait, western Sumba Strait, southern waters of P. Sumba-P. Sawu, Sawu Sea, southern waters of P. Rotte-Kupang, South Indian Ocean of NTT.

Then, North Natuna Sea, Kep. Anambas-Kep. Natuna, western Sulawesi Sea, East waters Kep. Wakatobi, eastern Banda Sea, southern waters Kep. Tanimbar, southern waters Kep. Kai-Kep. Aru, Arafuru Sea.

For waves in a higher range of 2.5-4 meters, he said, there is a chance to occur in the northern waters of Sabang, the western waters of Aceh-Kep. Mentawai, waters of P. Enggano, the western waters of Lampung, the West Indian Ocean Sumatra, the western and southern Sunda Strait, the southern waters of P. Java-P. Sumbawa, Bali Strait, Lombok, South Alas, the South Indian Ocean of Java-NTB.

For this reason, Eko reminded to pay attention to the high risk of shipping safety such as fishing boats with wind speeds of more than 15 knots and wave heights above 1.25 m, barges with wind speeds of more than 16 knots and wave heights above 1.5 m.

Furthermore, ferries with wind speeds are more than 21 knots and wave heights above 2.5 m.

Then, large ships such as cargo ships or cruise ships with wind speeds of more than 27 knots and wave heights above 4.0 m.

"We ask people who live and work on the coast around areas where high waves are likely to occur so that they remain vigilant," said Eko Prasetyo.