Nine Crew Members Found Safe Following Vessel Sinking in Riau Islands

Nine crew members who went missing after the fishing vessel KM Makmur Jaya sank in waters off Merapas Island, Kijang, Bintan District, Riau Islands, were found safe on Monday (9 March) morning.

The Acting Head of Tanjung Uban Maritime and Coastal Guard Base (PLP), Alfaizul, reported that the nine missing crew members were discovered by the fishing vessel KM Maili passing through the area.

“Alhamdulillah, the nine crew members who went missing were found safe this morning at approximately 08:45 local time,” said Alfaizul.

He further stated that the nine crew members were immediately transported to Tanjungpinang for medical examinations and handed over to the ship’s agent before being released to their families.

Earlier, 20 ship passengers had managed to save themselves by remaining on top of the overturned hull. Meanwhile, nine others saved themselves by boarding a rescue lifeboat that became separated from the sinking vessel.

“Of the 29 crew members, 20 crew members saved themselves by using life jackets and getting onto the overturned hull, whilst the other nine saved themselves by using the ship’s lifeboat which was separate from the sinking vessel,” said the Head of Basarnas Tanjungpinang, Fazzli.

He added that the sunken vessel was engaged in fishing activities. The passengers on board were fishermen working on the vessel.

“The fishermen were conducting fishing operations,” he said.