Bad Weather Delays Underwater Search for 129 Missing from KM Virgo Transport 8 Yet Again

The planned underwater search and rescue (SAR) operation for the 129 passengers missing after the sinking of KM Virgo Transport 8 in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea was postponed again on the third day, Tuesday (15/9), due to bad weather. The SAR team has been reinforced to 1,000 personnel.

Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday (15/9) evening at the Trisakti Port command post in Banjarmasin, said the poor weather conditions made it impossible for the SAR team to search for victims underwater.

“The bad weather at sea means the planned underwater SAR activities cannot be carried out. However, we are continuing to intensify SAR efforts on the sea surface,” he said.

He expressed hope that conditions would improve on the fourth day so that the underwater search could proceed and the victims be found. The diving teams from Kopaska — the Navy’s specialist diving unit — the Basarnas dive team, and the KRI Kanopus, equipped with advanced devices such as underwater drones, a multibeam echo sounder and a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), had already been placed on standby.

Syafii explained that his team was continuing to intensify surface searches by adding vessels and personnel to the joint SAR team. The agency deployed 17 ships and six air SAR units, comprising three helicopters and three patrol aircraft.

“The joint SAR team has now grown from 622 personnel to 1,000,” he said.

Elsewhere, Deputy Governor of South Kalimantan, Hasnuryadi Sulaiman, monitored the handling and care of the victims’ families at the Basarnas post and the passenger terminal at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin. The Deputy Governor took time to speak with victims’ families as well as SAR officers and volunteers.

“On behalf of the South Kalimantan provincial government, we convey our condolences and hope the SAR operation succeeds in finding the victims alive. The regional government will provide its full support so that the SAR process runs smoothly,” said Hasnuryadi, who also distributed food and drink aid packages to the victims’ families and the SAR team.

The passenger ro-ro vessel KM Virgo Transport 8 listed and lost contact in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea on Sunday (13/9) at around 02.00 local time. Strong sea currents have caused the capsized vessel to drift up to 1.6 nautical miles from its original position.