Missing Day, Fishermen In The Waters Of Siempu Island, Central Sulawesi Found Selamat

The joint SAR team when evacuating a fisherman who was found safe on Siompu Island, South Buton Regency, Thursday (30/3/2023) (ANTARA)

KENDARI - The Kendari National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) said that fishermen who were reported missing while at sea around the southern waters of Siemppu Island, South Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi (Sulteng), were found safe.

Acting Head of the Kendari Basarnas Office, Rudi, said the victim named La Ode Arsit (56) was found safe by a joint SAR team about 5.79 nautical miles from the location where the victim was reported missing.

"The progress of SAR operations on La Ode Arsit victims who disappeared around the waters south of Siempu Island, South Buton on Wednesday, March 29, was found safe," he said.

He said the victim, who is a resident of Pogalampa Village, Batauga District, South Buton, was found in a FAD, which is a type of fishing aid installed in the sea, along with its boat.

Rudi said that the victim's boat suffered engine failure during bad weather so that the victim could not go home and decided to take shelter in the FAD.

"After the joint SAR Team was found, the victim was then evacuated to Bola Village, Batauga District, South Buton Regency," said Rudi.

Earlier on Wednesday, March 29 at around 05.30 WITA, the victim and three colleagues searched for fish about 10-15 nautical miles from Tanjung Bola Village to the south of Siempu Island, each using a long boat.

When he arrived at the intended location, La Ode Arsit and his three colleagues then looked for fish in different places. Then during the day there was bad weather so the victim's friends decided to go home, but when they arrived on land, the victim was not there.

The incident was then informed to the Kendari Basarnas by Babinsa Pogalampa on Wednesday (23/3) at around 23.42 WITA. After receiving the report, the Baubau SAR Post Rescue Team was dispatched to the victim's location.

Rudi further said that in carrying out the search operation, Basarnas was assisted by Babinsa Pogalampa and the victim's family.

"With the discovery of the victim, the SAR operation was declared complete and closed. All elements involved were returned to their respective units," said Rudi.