KSOP Opens The Possibility Of Moving Ships If KM Mutiara Berkah I Fires Danger Merak Port

KM Mutiara Berkah I caught fire at the pier of Indah Kiat Harbor, Merak, Banten, Wednesday 6 September 2023 (ANTARA-HO-Basarnas)

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation together with the Banten Class I Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) rapid action team continued to monitor and accelerate the blackout of the Mutiara Berkah I Passenger Motor Ship (KM).

Head of KSOP Class I Banten, Capt. Hermanta said that if a situation happened that endangered the port, his party would transfer the ship to a safe area so as not to interfere with other ship activities.

"We will continue to provide the latest information regarding this incident by prioritizing safety," he said in a written statement, Thursday, September 7, which was confiscated by Antara. Meanwhile, KM Mutiara Berkah I caught fire at Indah Kiat Pulp and Paper Pier, Merak, Cilegon City, Banten since yesterday.

KM Mutiara Berkah I with a capacity of GT.32645 with the year of manufacture in 2003 and the Indonesian flag caught fire while on sandar and was loading a vehicle on the Merak-Panjang route, Lampung.

Hermanta explained that so far the blackout has involved a number of resources consisting of Patrol Vessels from the Marine and Coast Guard Unit (KPL), 5 Tunda ships, 7 fire engines, 2 freshwater tankers, and 1 crane. The entire crew of the ship (ABK) and the passengers previously mentioned the Head of Banten Basarnas Adil Triyanto totaling 159 people have been evacuated safely.

"Until now, no passengers and crew have been found who have died," he said.

According to him, the Roro Mutiara Berkah 1 ship with a capacity of GT.32645, the year of manufacture in 2003, has the Indonesian flag, with the captain of Willem Dikson Kaliwuge.