The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is urging that the\nsalvage operation for KM Virgo Transport 8 be carried out immediately.\nHowever, Basarnas has explained the complicating factors involved in the\nlifting operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we see is the ship\u2019s condition: the KM Virgo is nearly 120m\nlong, 21m wide, and approximately 18m high, currently in an overturned\nstate and resting on the seabed. There are inherent difficulties that\nmake it not as simple as immediately refloating and righting it,\u201d stated\nthe Head of Basarnas RI, Mohammad Syafii, following the opening of the\n13th ASEAN Transport SAR Forum and ASEAN SAR Exercise 2026 in Yogyakarta\non Tuesday (29\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
Syafii noted that they are considering involving other nations for\nthe technical aspects of refloating the KM Virgo before it is towed. He\nsuggested that once the refloating process is complete, the towing\nprocess should not take long.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegarding the refloating process, we have communicated that we might\ninvolve countries with the necessary capabilities,\u201d said Syafising.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf everything is properly configured, the process itself will not be\nvery long. The initial process is clearly refloating first, then\nlifting, and then installing belts, so the ship is surrounded by belts\nand placed from both sides,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Syafii explained that salvage operations can take a long time,\nsometimes up to three years. He cited the salvage of large cruise ships\nas an example.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake the Costa Concordia accident in Italy, if I recall correctly.\nThe salvage process for a cruise ship can take up to three years.\nHowever, for a smaller vessel, it could be righted in just one day,\u201d he\nremarked.<\/p>\n
Syafii clarified that, according to the law, the authority for\nsalvage operations lies with the insurance providers, specifically the\nProtection and Indemnity (P&I) maritime insurance companies. He\nurged that the operation be conducted immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we know there are still victims inside the ship, we request\nthat the legal mandate be implemented as soon as possible,\u201d Sychii\nexplained following the forum opening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the hope that we can carry out the search and evacuation of all\nvictims remaining on the ship,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Regarding the salvage operation, Syafii stated that the insurance\ncompanies have been cooperative from the start and have conducted\nobservations. These observations confirmed that the salvage operation is\nfeasible.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the observation, we facilitated the insurance side to assess\nthe conditions and ensure they could proceed with the salvage actions,\u201d\nsaid Syafii.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether it will be towed or righted first, what is certain is that\nit must be refloated first. We are pushing for this to be implemented\nimmediately to ensure that all victims inside the ship can be\nevacuated,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
According to reports, the Ministry of Transportation has sent a\nletter to the P&I insurance companies because the salvage or\nevacuation operation to lift the ship from the Java Sea waters has not\nyet commenced.<\/p>\n
The Head of the Banjarmasin Port Authority and Harbormaster Office\n(KSOP), Heri Purnomo, also requested PT Virgo Karya Shipping to\nimmediately organise the salvage operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ministry of Transportation has issued a stern warning to the\nP&I; we hope that within one week, all administration and technical\nimplementation for the salvage will be in place,\u201d said Heri.<\/p>\n
Heri mentioned that his office has also written to the operator of KM\nVirgo Transport 8 to accelerate the salvage execution. It has been over\ntwo weeks since the ship sank, yet the salvage has yet to be\nrealised.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe at KSOP have also issued a warning letter to the ship owner to\nimmediately carry out this salvage operation,\u201d Heri asserted.<\/p>\n
It is known that to date, 179 victims have been evacuated from a\ntotal passenger manifest of 243 people. Details show that 108 people are\nsafe, 71 have died, while 64 others remain missing.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/basarnas-reveals-challenges-hindering-km-virgo-salvage-operation-1790671898", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }