The Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas),\nMohammad Syafii, has urged that the salvage operation for KM Virgo\nTransport 8 be carried out immediately. However, Basarnas explained the\ncomplicating factors involved in the vessel\u2019s recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are seeing is that the ship (KM Virgo) is almost 120m long,\n21m wide, with a height of approximately 18m. It is currently upside\ndown and has already touched the seabed. There are inherent\ndifficulties, so it will not be as simple as immediately refloating and\nrighting it,\u201d said Syafii following the opening of the 13th ASEAN\nTransport SAR Forum and ASEAN SAR Exercise 2026 in Yogyakarta on Tuesday\n(29\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
Syafii stated that the agency is considering involving other nations\nto assist with the technical aspects of refloating the KM Virgo before\nit is towed. Once the refloating process is complete, he noted, the\ntowing process should not take long.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegarding the refloating process, we have communicated that we might\ninvolve countries that possess the necessary capabilities,\u201d Syafised\nSyafii.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf everything is properly set up, the process itself will not\nactually take very long. The initial process is clearly refloating\nfirst, then lifting, and then installing belts, so the ship is\nsurrounded by belts and placed from both sides,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Syafii explained that salvage operations can take a long time, even\nup to three years. He cited the salvage of large cruise ships as an\nexample, which can take up to three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake the Costa Concordia accident in Italy, if I am not mistaken.\nThe salvage process took up to three years because it was a cruise ship.\nHowever, if the ship is small, 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) insurance companies. He urged that\nthe operation be conducted without delay.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we know there are still victims inside the ship, we request\nthat the legal mandate be implemented as quickly as possible,\u201d Syafii\nexplained following the opening of the 13th ASEAN Transport SAR Forum\nand ASEAN SAR Exercise 2026 in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the hope that we can carry out the evacuation or the search and\nrescue of all victims within the ship,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Regarding the salvage operation, Syafii stated that the insurance\ncompanies have been cooperative from the beginning and have already\nconducted observations. Based on these observations, it has been\ndetermined that a salvage operation is feasible.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the observation, which we facilitated, the insurance side\nassessed the conditions and confirmed that the insurance can proceed\nwith salvage actions,\u201d said Syafii.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether it will be towed or righted first, what is certain is that\nit must be refloated first. Whether it is towed directly or righted, we\nare pushing for this to be implemented immediately. We are confident\nthat we can evacuate all victims from the ship,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/km-virgo-has-hit-the-seabed-basarnas-urges-immediate-salvage-operation-1790676065", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }