JAKARTA, Oct 7 (NNN-ANTARA) – A ship carrying 12 people lost contact, in the waters off Bali, with search and rescue operation being underway, a top rescuer said today.
The fishing ship, KM Tanjung Permai, operated by a fishing company, PT Liniati Abadi, last communicated with the firm at 9:00 p.m. local time Monday, Head of Operational Unit of Search and Rescue Office in Bali, Anak Agung Ketut Alif Supartana, said.
“According to the company, during communication, a crew reported that, sea water has entered the ship,” the rescuer said, via the phone. Still, it was not certain whether the ship leaked or huge waves hit the vessel, said Supartana.
The fishing ship had fished in the southern Badung Strait of Southern Bali island, before losing contact, Supartana said.
He said, weather condition was unfavourable in the area since days ago, with huge waves occurring in the territory. “All the sailors here have been informally warned by the weather agency. They are urged to delay fishing.”
A helicopter, two ships, personnel from the local search and rescue office, the navy and police, have been deployed in the search and rescue mission, he said.
At the sea, Captain of Rescue Ship, Arief Yulianto, along with other rescuers, navy personnel and policemen, were also carrying the rescue around and in the southern Badung Strait.
“It is still nil. We asked all vessels sailing around and in this territory, they have not seen the presence of the missing vessel,” he said.
The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency has warned of intensified La Nina rains, in some parts of the vast-archipelagic nation, since days ago.– NNN-ANTARA
