Basarnas has reported that diving teams, including members of the\nIndonesian Navy\u2019s Frogman Command (Kopalska), have successfully\nconducted dives to inspect the condition of the capsized KM Virgo\nTransport 8 in the Java Sea waters.<\/p>\n
Basarnas Operational Director, Laksma TNI Yudhi Bramantyo, stated\nthat the diving operation was finally possible due to favourable weather\nconditions for underwater operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday, the current was as high as 6.8 knots, but today it has\ndecreased to approximately 1.8 to 2 knots, allowing the Kopaska divers\nto descend to depth and install mooring lines to assist divers returning\nto the surface,\u201d Yudhi said during a press conference on Thursday\n(17\/9).<\/p>\n
He added that the underwater visibility was clear today, allowing for\na full view of the ship\u2019s body from the stern to the bow.<\/p>\n
Yudhi also noted that the diving team has installed marker buoys\naround KM Virgo Transport 8. The purpose is to provide warning signs for\npassing vessels to ensure the safety of ongoing operations and maritime\ntraffic.<\/p>\n
According to Yudhi\u2019s report from the divers\u2019 observations, the ship\u2019s\ncondition remains watertight and sealed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say it is watertight, meaning nothing can enter; it is still\nclosed. Any items found previously were likely located at the bow or on\nthe exterior,\u201d he explained. He added that because the vessel remains\nsealed, there is hope that salvage operations will be more\neffective.<\/p>\n
KM Virgo Transport 8 was reported to have lost contact in the Java\nSea waters on Sunday (13\/9) at 02:00 WITA, while sailing from Surabaya\nto Banjarmasin. The vessel was reported to be carrying 243 people,\nincluding passengers and crew.<\/p>\n
As of Monday (14\/9), 114 of the 243 people on board had been found,\nwhile 129 others remained missing.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Head of Basarnas, Air Marshal TNI Mohammad Syafii,\nstated that the agency plans to conduct a salvage process to upright the\nKM Virgo Transport 8 to facilitate the search for victims. The ship is\ncurrently capsized and floating in the Java Sea.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf underwater searches cannot be conducted due to weather, we plan\nto perform a salvage. We intend to right the vessel to search the\ninterior and carry out evacuations,\u201d Syafii said during a press\nconference on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He added that once the SAR process is confirmed to be complete, the\nvessel will be towed for investigation purposes.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/frogmen-deploy-for-diving-operations-km-virgo-8-remains-sealed-1789661822", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }