Deserted ships block harbor

Deserted ships block harbor

AMBON, Maluku: Port officials are still unable to remove four
crippled and deserted South Korean fishing boats which have been
lodged in front of Ambon harbor for a week, Antara reported.

Indonesian port official Ibrahim Pesiwarissa said the four
vessels were blocking much of the port's normal activities, which
include loading and unloading cargo along with supplying ships
with fuel and water.

As a result, incoming ships have had to wait in queues of
three ships to five ships before being able to berth, Ibrahim
said.

The four South Korean vessels were operated in cooperation
with two Indonesian fishery companies, PT Papeda Laut and PT Laut
Arafura Indah.

Hengky Sirait, director of PT Papenda Laut, said the vessels
were dead in the water because of serious engine trouble.

"All of the crews have returned to South Korea and their
boats' damaged engines can be repaired only with spare parts from
South Korea," he said.