Basarnas Kendari Deploys KN SAR Pacitan in Search for KM Nurul Salsa Victims
Basarnas Kendari has deployed 28 personnel together with the State Vessel (KN) SAR Pacitan for an operation to search for victims of the sunken Motor Vessel (KM) Nurul Salsa in the waters of Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi.
Head of Basarnas Kendari, Amiruddin A.S., explained that the deployment of personnel and the vessel forms part of the SAR Operational Command (BKO) to accelerate the evacuation and search process for victims still missing. KN SAR Pacitan departed from the Basarnas pier in East Kendari on Saturday (18/7/2026) at 12.10 Central Indonesia Time.
“KN SAR Pacitan is heading towards the waters west of Polassi Island, the location where KM Nurul Salsa was reported to have sunk on 15 July 2026,” said Amiruddin when contacted on Saturday evening.
In this humanitarian mission, Basarnas Kendari dispatched a joint team. The distance from the Kendari pier to the ship’s last known coordinates is estimated at 262 nautical miles. Travelling at a maximum speed of 20 knots, the sea voyage is expected to take approximately 18 hours.
To support the effectiveness of field operations, the team is equipped with various primary equipment and safety gear, including a sea rider unit, a lifeboat, a rubber boat, emergency medical equipment, evacuation equipment, and satellite communication devices.
According to data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), weather conditions along the sailing route to the location were reported as cloudy. Winds are blowing from the east towards the south at speeds ranging from 2 to 20 kilometres per hour, which is considered sufficiently conducive for the SAR team’s voyage.
Meanwhile, Head of the Basarnas Makassar Office, Muhammad Arif Anwar, provided an update on victim data on the fourth day of SAR operations. Of the total 78 people aboard KM Nurul Salsa at the time of the accident, 25 remain declared missing.
“Basarnas together with all elements of the joint SAR team continue to deploy their best capabilities to find the 25 victims still declared missing. The arrival of the KN Pacitan from Kendari is expected to widen the sweep area,” concluded Arif Anwar.
Five passengers who fell victim to the sinking of KM Nurul Salsa in the waters of Selayar, South Sulawesi, were found alive around Mattalang Island, Selayar Regency. The five survivors were found after four days staying afloat by clinging to a fisherman’s buoy.
The joint SAR team has expanded the search area for KM Nurul Salsa victims to 448 square nautical miles, supported by additional vessels from Kendari and Maumere.