Ninth Day of Search for Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait Yields No Results
The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the group of journalists and the crew of the fast boat KM Arupadatu I, who went missing in the waters of the Sunda Strait, has entered its ninth day. However, as of Wednesday (16/9) evening, the joint SAR team has yet to find any signs of the victims or the vessel. The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, stated that the search on the ninth day—the second day of the extended SAR operation—has produced no results.
“Up to the ninth day of implementation, or the second day of the extended SAR operation for the fast boat that lost contact near Mount Anak Krakatau, the results are reported to be nil,” Al Amram said during a press conference at the Main SAR Post in Carita, Pandeglang, on Wednesday (16/9) evening.
According to him, all primary maritime fleets deployed across eight search sectors have not found any traces of the victims or the ship. The area covered on the ninth day reached 3,439 nautical miles (NM) square. This area encompasses the coastal regions around Mount Anak Krakatau in the Banten and Lampung provinces, extending as far as Enggano Island, Bengkulu.
The search is being conducted extensively by a joint SAR team involving 22 units of vessels. The fleet consists of five KRI (Indonesian Navy ships), two KAL (patrol boats), and one RBB (patrol boat) from the Indonesian Navy; eight Polairud (Water Police) ships; three KN SAR vessels; two RIB units; and one KPLP patrol boat. During the operation, the fleet has been divided into eight sectors to sweep the areas determined by the Basarnas operational plan.
In Sector A, KRI Dewa Kembar and KP Sanjaya are sweeping the area west of Teluk Belimbing. Meanwhile, KN SAR Basudewa departed from Sebesi Island towards the southeast of Tanggamus in Sector B.
Sector C is being handled by KRI Leuser, sweeping the Ujung Kulon waters and the west of Panaitan Island towards the Indian Ocean. In Sector D, KN SAR Antasena and KRI Lepu are conducting searches west of Mount Anak Krakatau.
Furthermore, Sector E, involving RIB 02 Lampung and KAL Pahawang, is sweeping as far as Teluk Kalianda. Meanwhile, seven Polairud vessels have been deployed in Sector F to sweep the area from the waters west of Mount Anak Krakatau to Tunda Island.
In Sector G, KAL Anyer, RIB 02 Banten, and RBB Pulau Peucang are sweeping the route from Marina Carita Pier to Anyer.
Sector H involves KN SAR Tetuka, KRI Kerambit, KRI Gilimanuk, and KN Damaru to conduct searches around the Mount Anak Krakatau area to the south of Sebesi Island.
In addition to the sweeping of the Sunda Strait, operations are also being conducted by the Bengkulu SAR Office in the coastal area of Enggano Island. The SAR team is also conducting monitoring via e-broadcast for passing ships. This monitoring is carried out through the Coastal Radio Station (SROP) and the Port Authority and Harbormaster Office (KSOP).
However, these various efforts have yet to yield information regarding the whereabouts of the group of journalists and the crew of KM Arupadatu I.
“However, all reporting channels confirm that the results remain nil,” he said.