Mysterious Australian Yacht Found Stranded in Rote Ndao Without Crew or Passengers

A foreign yacht flying the Australian flag was found stranded on the coast of Duile Beach, Oesosole Hamlet, Faifua Village, East Rote District, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The vessel, named Balamara, was discovered aground at the water’s edge without a captain, crew members, or passengers on board. The discovery was first reported by local residents to the police. East Rote Police Chief, Ipda A. Ikram Mahben, stated on Wednesday (17/6) afternoon that information about the vessel’s presence was received from a resident named Nimrod Muris, who then reported it to the Faifua Village Bhabinkamtibmas, Aipda Yermias Benu, on Tuesday (16/6). “Information about the yacht stranded at Duile Beach was obtained from Mr Nimrod Muris by the Faifua Village Bhabinkamtibmas. After receiving the report, East Rote Police personnel immediately went to the location to conduct an inspection,” said Ikram. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found one Australian-flagged yacht in a grounded state at the beach’s edge. However, no one was found on board the vessel. Rote Ndao Police Chief, AKBP Mardiono, said his team immediately carried out an initial examination to identify the vessel’s origins and uncover the cause of its presence in the waters of Rote Ndao. From the examination results, police found a number of documents pointing to the vessel’s identity. The documents listed the vessel’s name as Balamara, type Adams Traditional 36, hull number AU-WWA072974, and equipped with a Volvo Penta engine. In addition to the ship’s documents, officers also found several items inside the yacht, including a GPS unit, a bag containing clothing, an electric drill, and a television. “All items found have been secured for investigation purposes,” said Mardiono. To secure the location, police placed a police line around the vessel to prevent interference with evidence or the examination process. As of now, the Rote Ndao Police are still coordinating with relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the vessel’s stranding and to trace the whereabouts of the owner, captain, and crew, who remain unknown.