Navy continues search operation

Navy continues search operation

JAKARTA (JP): The Navy is continuing the search for possible
survivors from the ferry which sank off Aceh on Friday, although
officials admitted that the likelihood of finding anyone alive
after four days is slim.

By yesterday 52 people were found dead, 40 rescued and at
least 118 were missing. First reports said that there were 210,
including 16 crewmen, on board the Gurita when it sank on its way
from Kreungraya in Aceh to Balohan on Weh Island. The actual
number may be higher because some people were not on the
passengers' list.

"It's a remote possibility that there are still survivors out
there," Lt. Col. Fikri Samaf Guciano, chief of the Sabang's Naval
Base, told The Jakarta Post by phone. "But we'll also be looking
for bodies trapped in the ship. Some of these bodies may float up
later," Fikri said.

"We just found one tonight, a male. His body was already
decomposing. We took the body to Banda Aceh," he added.

Officials earlier said that some of them may have been trapped
inside their cars or in buses. The ferry was carrying 30 vehicles
as well as cargo when it sank.

Fikri said the Navy's divers could not reach the ship's
wreckage which is lying some 384 meter underwater. The divers
have equipment which can only take them down 70 meters.

Sabang Mayor Bustari was also hoping to find more survivors,
saying that some may have been washed ashore on one of the many
small islands scattered around the northern tip of Sumatra.

Fikri, who is coordinating the search operation, said the
standard procedure in Search and Rescue operations is that the
search should be held for seven days. "But if we have to, we can
extend the operation."

The Navy has deployed four warships in the operation: KRI
Fatahillah, KRI Rencong, KRI Yohanes and KRI Sleman.

In addition, hundreds of small fishing boats also joined in
the operation since Friday, scouring the waters off Aceh and
around the Weh Island.

Fikri said that a team of investigators is now being formed,
on instruction from the Minister of Transportation Haryanto
Dhanutirto. "I expect to be included in that team," he said,
adding that an announcement is expected later today.

On the possible causes of the accident, he said that he heard
several explanations. A big wave was blamed by some, while others
suggested the ferry had hit a rock. "The site of the accident is
a meeting point of several currents. When the wave hit the ship,
some of its cargo may have shifted and this is probably what
caused it." (31/emb)