6 Days In The Middle Of The Sea, 2 Fishermen From Maluku Found Safe In The Waters Of The Banda Sea

Illustration of Basarnas conducting searches at sea (ANTARA)

AMBON - Head of the Search and Rescue Office of Basarnas Ambon, Maluku, Mustari said the two fishermen from Tual City who were searched for by the joint SAR team for six days had been found safe around the waters of the Banda Sea. "The fishermen named La Riwi (54) and Francisco Welerubun (24) were found safe by fishermen from Latuhalat State, Nusaniwe District (Ambon City) around the waters of the Banda Sea," Mustari was quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday 21 June. Initially, the Joint SAR team consisting of the Tual SAR Post, the Banda SAR Post and the potential elements of the SAR have carried out search and rescue operations for six days. According to him, according to data from the SAR MAPS calculation of the sixth day on Tuesday (20/6) 2023, the ocean current leads to the north waters of the Banda Sea, Central Maluku Regency. Until 07.00 WIT, the Rescue Team of the Banda SAR Post and the SAR Potential elements were deployed towards a number of coordinates to carry out SAR operations. The search continues to be carried out a joint SAR team until 13:00 WIT and gets information from the Banda SAR Post Coordinator that the two missing fishermen from Tual City were found by fishermen from Latuhalat Village, Nusaniwe District (Ambon City). "They were found at 12.00 WIT around the waters of the Banda Sea of approximately 24 nautical miles from Tanjung Nusaniwe (Ambon Island) in a safe but weak state," he said. Then, through a telephone connection, communication center or the Comm Centre Ambon SAR Office tried to communicate with fishermen from Latuhalat Village who explained that the two victims were evacuated to Latuhalat Hamlet, Latuhalat Village in order to get treatment. Three Ambon SAR Office personnel were also deployed towards Latukolan Hamlet to pick up the two victims. According to information from one of the victims, they departed using the Motor Ship with 21 on June 10, 2023 towards Saumlakil City, Tanimbar Islands Regency. But while in the vicinity of the Tanimbar waters, the ship engine suffered damage (total) and they tried to make no success.

"During the day we were swept away by the current but we defended with minimal food. Luckily we were still able to survive after meeting with fishermen from Latuhalat, Eben Satumayay who helped and evacuated us to latukolan Hamlet," he quoted the victim's statement. "With the discovery of the victim, the SAR coverage was declared complete and closed and all the potential elements of the SAR involved were returned to their respective units with gratitude," said Mustari.