Pelni, a disaster waiting to happen

Pelni, a disaster waiting to happen

I have recently completed a voyage on the Bukit Siguntang from
Jakarta to Dobo, Pulau Aru. This took six days and, because of my
age, 71, I decided to have a little luxury and to travel first
class. Quite frankly this was a waste of money as the only
advantage was to share a two-berth cabin with its own shower and
toilet. Apart from this I might as well have traveled "Tiga
Wisata" or even economy.

The food was poor and breakfasts were virtually identical to
third class -- although after I complained they did improve
slightly. I bought the meals provided and, allowing for mass
catering, it was evident that the cost of the actual food was
less than 5,000 rupiah per head per day. The service was
virtually nonexistent as the staff were only interested in
getting one out of the dining room, but this was the better part
of the journey.

From Tanjung Priok to Ambon the boat was so overcrowded that
the whole of the first class area -- including the passages
outside the cabins -- was filled with economy passengers. All the
exterior doors on Deck six were not only blocked but also locked
throughout the trip and the stairs were usually blocked with
seated passengers and luggage and the landings were being used
for sleeping. It was very difficult to get on deck.

While I did not descend to Decks 2 or 3, I estimate that the
boat was carrying between 1,500 and 2,000 passengers above its
capacity.

What would have happened had there been an emergency? There is
no way that I could have followed the directions to my assembly
point. If I could have gotten there, the chances of getting on a
lifeboat would have been nonexistent. I doubt that I could even
have gotten on deck, with or without my life jacket. As for the
economy passengers, at least 50 percent of them would not even
have a life jacket. I regard this as disgraceful and contrary to
all normally accepted maritime law.

While I was away it seems that Pelni once again increased
their fares -- this time by 40 percent. I was quoted
Rp 1,926,000 for the trip from Tual (Pulau Kei) to Tanjung Priok
-- and was denied a 20 percent discount for my age. On inquiring
at Merpati, I found that I could return to Jakarta in eight hours
at a cost of Rp 2,000,036. I did.

JOHN WILLIAM STARR, Jakarta