KMP Perkasa Prima 5 Loses Power in Bali Strait, Evacuation Marred by Broken Towline

The passenger motor vessel KMP Perkasa Prima 5 experienced engine failure in the Bali Strait on Saturday (29/8/2026). Due to the failure of the port-side main engine, the ship was carried southward by the current to the waters behind the UPPKB Cekik, Gilimanuk.

According to information obtained by detikBali, the vessel, skippered by Dadang Priantoni, initially departed from the LCM Pier at Gilimanuk Port bound for Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, at around 15:50 WITA. However, technical problems began to arise while the ship was in the middle of the Bali Strait.

At 16:20 WITA, while afloat, KMP Perkasa Prima 5 suffered a port-side main engine fault and was dragged southward by the current to the waters behind UPPKB Cekik.

Based on manifest data, KMP Perkasa Prima 5 was carrying 19 vehicle passengers. In addition, the vessel was also loaded with dozens of logistics vehicles consisting of 5 pickups, 3 medium trucks, 7 large trucks, and 4 tronton trailers.

“It is true that an engine fault occurred on KMP Perkasa Prima 5, which necessitated the evacuation of all passengers to Ketapang Port,” said Gilimanuk Port Police Chief AKP Gusti Kade Alit Murdiasa when confirmed by detikBali on Saturday (29/8/2026).

Following the report, rescue efforts were immediately carried out by a joint SAR team. At around 17:30 WITA, KMP Trimajaya 9 was deployed to take KMP Perkasa Prima 5 in tow towards Ketapang Port.

However, during the towing process at around 17:50 WITA, the towline between the vessels snapped. Given the situation, the main priority was shifted to evacuating all passengers from the ship.

“The towline snapped, so KMP Trimajaya 9 first evacuated the 19 passengers of KMP Perkasa Prima 5 to be taken to Ketapang Port,” Murdiasa explained.

The passenger evacuation proceeded smoothly and all were successfully rescued, arriving at the Ketapang Port pier at 18:10 WITA in safe condition. Subsequently, at 19:30 WITA, KMP Trimajaya 9 again attempted to re-tow KMP Perkasa Prima 5.

“From the latest information, the vessel has successfully berthed and unloading of the vehicles has begun,” Murdiasa concluded.