Palu SAR Office Deploys KN SAR to Support Search for Virgo Transport 8

Palu (ANTARA) - The Palu Search and Rescue (SAR) Office in Central Sulawesi has placed personnel and the KN SAR Baladewa 238 on standby to support the search operation for the Virgo Transport 8, which lost contact in the Java Sea on Sunday.

“For the time being, the nearest SAR Office teams are moving first. Following instructions from the Head of the Palu SAR Office, we are ready to assist if we receive orders from the National Basarnas headquarters,” said Fatmawati, Spokesperson for the Palu SAR Office, when contacted in Palu on Sunday.

She stated that, based on leadership instructions, personnel and primary search and rescue equipment have been mobilised and are currently awaiting further orders from Jakarta.

Similarly, the KN SAR Baladewa 238 has been stationed at the Indonesian Navy Base (Lanal) Palu port in the Palu Bay area.

“Logistics for the Palu SAR Office are ready. We are awaiting further developments,” she added.

The Head of the Banjarmasin Class A Search and Rescue Office, acting as SAR Mission Coordinator, I Putu Sudayana, stated that the vessel was reported to have lost contact around 02:00 WITA, after previously encountering bad weather conditions during its journey.

“The last known position of the ship was received at approximately 80 nautical miles from the Basirih SAR Pier, Banjarmasin,” he said.

The Banjarmasin Class A Search and Rescue Office received the report regarding the loss of contact at 04:10 WITA from the General Manager of PT Virgo, Yoel Rihi, after the vessel was known to have departed from Surabaya on Saturday (12/9) at 10:13 GMT.

The agency is optimising the deployment of personnel and search facilities because the vessel is carrying a large number of passengers and crew, whose safety is the priority of the SAR operation.

The operation includes maximising coordination with all relevant parties to accelerate the search process and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew, while weather conditions in the search area continue to be monitored.

“We urge the public and the passengers’ families to remain calm and await official information from officers. The joint SAR team continues to monitor and search based on developments in the field,” said Putu Sudayana.