German yacht pirated in Ancol

JAKARTA (JP): Five people pirated a German yacht which was anchored in Jakarta Bay on Sunday, severely wounded the navigator, and made away with all navigation equipment and other belongings, the yacht owner said yesterday.

Richard Glattki, the German owner and captain of the yacht, the M.S. Schleswig, said that the incident cost him Rp 30 million (US$12,244) in losses.

"The piracy took place at 1 a.m. on Sunday. The pirates stormed the yacht, which was anchored near the Horison Hotel in Ancol, and attacked the yacht navigator, Peter Loos, with sharp weapons," Glattki said.

Loos, a German, was asleep on the boat at the time, he said. He possibly resisted at first, but probably surrendered when he was outnumbered, Glattki said.

He said Loos fell unconscious after sustaining a severe head wound. His arms were also severely injured. This enabled the pirates to make away with all the navigation equipment, as well a small refrigerator and $2,000.

Glattki became concerned when he was unable to make radio contact with Loos in the afternoon. He immediately rented a motorboat from Ancol to take him to his yacht.

He said that he found Loos unconscious and lying in a pool of blood, and he rushed him to MMC Hospital in Kuningan, South Jakarta. "I don't know whether Loos will survive, but his condition is improving," he said.

He said he was not particularly concerned about the material loss. "The pirates seized the instruments and other belongings, but they shouldn't have hurt my friend," said Glattki, who works for his wife's company as an engineer.

"It's a pity for Loos. He's a close friend of mine and has no one here. It was me who invited him to join me on the boat. Loos just separated from his wife last year," Glattki said.

Despite the piracy, however, Glattki said he did not have any plans to leave Indonesia.

"Nothing will change. I will replace the stolen instruments and continue sailing to a number of islands. I love the beauty of Indonesia," he said.

He said that he used to invite friends -- Indonesians, Australians and Germans -- to travel to Indonesian islands on his boat free of charge.

Glattki explained that his boat -- a tug boat which was converted into a pleasure yacht -- dropped anchor in Jakarta Bay because he could not afford mooring his boat at Marina Ancol.

"I used to moor the boat at Marina Ancol, but later stopped because of the high cost. PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol charged me Rp 1.3 million per month. Besides I had to pay another Rp 1.6 million for membership," he said.

Heru Winarko, an officer of North Jakarta Police precinct, to whom Glattki reported the incident, said it was dangerous to drop anchor even two miles off shore.

Heru said police were investigating the incident, but he was pessimistic of finding the perpetrators due to the absence of witnesses. "Unfortunately the only witness is in a coma," he said.

Glattki further said his boat was licensed to travel in Indonesian waters. "I have clearance approval for the boat by the Ministry of Defense and Security to travel to many Indonesian islands, including Seribu Islands, Karimunjawa, Lombok, Bima, Flores, Bangka and Bintan," he said.

The permit, issued on Dec. 20, 1996, allows the boat to make calls at various ports for tourism purposes. The permit is valid until July 25, 1997. (hhr)