Palembang Port Authority Urges Captains to Delay Voyages Amid Thick Fog
Palembang - The Class I Palembang Port Authority and Shipping Office (KSOP) in South Sumatra has urged all captains, pilots, and fishermen not to force voyages amidst the thick fog and smoke conditions that frequently affect local shipping lanes.
The Acting Head of KSOP Class I Palembang, Khairul Anwar, explained in Palembang on Friday that while a total sailing ban has not yet been implemented, anticipatory measures have been taken through the issuance of an official advisory in Notice to Mariners Number: PG-KSOP.PLG 15 of 2026 to mitigate the risk of accidents caused by limited visibility.
“We request all captains, pilots, and fishermen not to force sailing if weather conditions in the Working Area (DLKr) and Interest Area (DLKP) of KSOP Palembang significantly impair visibility,” he stated.
Furthermore, strict regulations regarding sound signals must be observed to avoid the risk of ship collisions. Moving power-driven vessels are required to sound one prolonged blast at intervals of no more than two minutes. Meanwhile, power-driven vessels that are stopped and not making way through the water must sound two prolonged blasts in succession with a pause of approximately two seconds.
Special rules also apply to vessels with restricted manoeuvrability, sailing vessels, fishing vessels, and tugboats, which are required to sound three blasts, consisting of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts.
Vessels at anchor are required to ring a bell rapidly for five seconds every minute, with an additional requirement for ships 100 metres or longer to sound a gong.
“These sound signal provisions are crucial to observe in order to avoid the risk of accidents in the shipping lanes,” Khairul emphasised.
He stressed that maritime safety remains the top priority during extreme weather situations. Consequently, the authority advises captains to delay departures if fog or smoke conditions are deemed hazardous to navigation safety.
KSOP Palembang hopes that all service users and maritime operators will increase vigilance and comply with all established safety regulations during this fog and smoke season.