Labuan Bajo Port Authority Limits Sailing Due to Bad Weather and High Waves

Fri, 15 May 2026, 19:20 WIB | By Reynaldi Andrian Pamungkas | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Regulation

The Class III Labuan Bajo Port Authority, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has issued Sailing Notice Number 02/MP-V/2026 regarding increased vigilance and restrictions on sailing activities due to bad weather expected from Friday (May 15th) to Sunday (May 17th).

This policy was issued following weather forecasts from the BMKG Tenau Maritime Meteorological Station, which predict increased wind speeds and wave heights in the waters south of Labuan Bajo over the next three days.

According to BMKG data, winds in the southern waters are expected to reach up to 19 knots, with wave heights potentially reaching 2.1 meters. These conditions are considered dangerous for sailing, especially for tourist and passenger ships.

In the notice, the Labuan Bajo Port Authority states that temporary Sailing Permits (SPB) will only be granted to ships heading to Rinca, considering the safety of the sailing route and the relatively safer topography of the waters compared to other routes.

Head of the Class III Labuan Bajo Port Authority, Stefanus Risdiyanto, emphasized that the restrictions are solely to protect the safety of passengers, crew, and the security of sailing during extreme weather.

“We received official information from the BMKG that for the next three days, the wind will blow quite strongly from the southeast, and the waves will increase. This is not just a general warning, but a real step we are taking to ensure that no one takes the risk of sailing in unsafe conditions,” Stefanus said when confirmed on Friday (May 15th) afternoon.

According to Stefanus, the rapidly changing weather requires all ship operators and maritime transportation stakeholders to increase vigilance during sailing activities.

In the signed notice, the Labuan Bajo Port Authority also issued five main provisions that all ship captains must comply with, namely ensuring the seaworthiness of the ship and monitoring weather developments, providing safety briefings to passengers before departure.

Furthermore, they must not sail at night or in dangerous areas, immediately inform other ships if there is a potential hazard, and take shelter if the weather worsens, as well as continuously coordinate with the Port Authority and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

In addition, the Port Authority stated that it has full authority to postpone or cancel ship departures at any time if the weather conditions on the ground are deemed unsafe or the ship does not meet safety standards.

“The Port Authority has the full right to detain ships if we find that the weather conditions on the ground are worse than forecast or the ship is not seaworthy. Do not force it; safety is paramount,” added Stefanus.

He also appealed to all ship owners, tour operators, and users of maritime transportation services to adjust their travel schedules during the restriction period.

“We ask for the cooperation of all parties. Do not object if we inspect or detain ships. This notice is valid from tomorrow until Sunday. We will continue to monitor, and if conditions improve, we will lift the restrictions,” he concluded.

The Labuan Bajo Port Authority ensures that weather monitoring will continue to be carried out periodically, and the sailing restrictions will be re-evaluated if the water conditions are declared safe by the relevant authorities. (MM)

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