Navy's training ship returns

JAKARTA: After sailing around the globe for more than a year, the Indonesian Navy's training ship KRI Arung Samudra is scheduled to arrive home on May 4.

The tall ship will be moored at the Tanjung Priok port, Col. Mualimin Santoso of the Indonesian Navy's Information Office was quoted by Antara as saying Saturday.

The ship was scheduled to leave Hong Kong and head for Singapore over the weekend.

Santoso said the ship will be escorted by several warships and planes when it enters Indonesian waters until it docks at Tanjung Uban port in Riau.

"From Tanjung Uban, Arung Samudra will be escorted by a flotilla of Pinisi boats, other traditional vessels and jet skis to Tanjung Priok," he said.

Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Arief Kushariadi will lead the welcoming ceremony in which the ship's 16-member crew will receive special Wira Karya medals from President Soeharto.

The ship left on its world trip on April 14 last year.

Skippered by Major Darwanto, KRI Arsa has visited Australia, Seychelles, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Italy, Spain, France, Morocco, Caribbean islands, Panama, Mexico, Hawaii, and Japan. (swe)