Natuna SAR team finds captain of KM Ocean Three alive, two crew still missing
The Joint SAR Team of Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province, has found one of the three missing crew members of the Motor Vessel (KM) Ocean Three alive, floating at sea while holding onto the lid of a fibreglass fish cooler box.
Head of the Natuna Search and Rescue Office (KPP/SAR) Abdul Rahman confirmed on Sunday that the person found was the ship’s captain, Wan Zaidan (47). Wan Zaidan was discovered in a weakened state clinging to a yellow fibreglass lid at coordinates 3°40.299’N 108°20.947’E. He was found by the KAL Sengiap, belonging to the Ranai Naval Base, together with a team from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).
He explained that KM Ocean Three is a cargo vessel that sailed from Sedanau, Natuna Regency, heading to Pemangkat, Sambas Regency, carrying a load of fish, empty gas cylinders, and several crew members. “The ship’s captain was found alive in the waters off Pian Padang, Natuna, on Sunday (28/6) at 11.48 WIB,” said Abdul Rahman.
Based on the victim’s account, two crew members, Yoga and Arip, had met with him after the incident occurred. However, the two were later separated and are suspected to have been carried away by currents to the north.
Abdul Rahman explained that the initial report received by the Natuna SAR Office stated that KM Ocean was originally manned by four people: Wan Zaidan, Yoga, Arip, and Aldi. However, the latest information indicates that Aldi did not sail, meaning only three people were on board at the time of the incident. “As of now, the two other crew members, Yoga and Arip, are still being searched for by the Joint SAR Team,” he said.
He added that Sunday’s search marked the second day of the SAR operation. On the first day, the team received information about the discovery of a fish fibreglass box suspected to be from KM Ocean Three. Entering the second day, the Joint SAR Team again found a gas cylinder also suspected to belong to the vessel. “The Joint SAR Team has expanded the search area northwards according to the estimated current drift,” said Abdul Rahman.