Pelni-Operated Vessel Suffers Engine Failure, Adrift Off Ternate
A vessel operated by PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) serving the Bitung-Ternate route experienced engine failure in the waters between Batang Dua Island and the city of Ternate, North Maluku, on Sunday, 15 March.
Ferdinando, Head of Operations and Alert Section at the Ternate Basarnas search and rescue agency, reported that the KM Gandha Nusantara 17 departed from Bitung bound for Ternate on Saturday, 14 March at approximately 22.00 WIT.
The Ternate Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) received notification of the incident on Sunday afternoon from Rudi Arif, the Ternate representative of Pelni. However, during the journey at approximately 08.00 WIT on Sunday morning, the vessel experienced engine failure whilst in North Maluku waters.
Following the mechanical failure, the ship’s crew attempted to repair the engine independently. However, after several hours, these efforts had not resolved the damage. Observing the situation, the vessel’s captain reported the incident to Pelni, which subsequently notified the Ternate Basarnas to request search and rescue assistance.
Upon receiving the report, the agency immediately deployed a rescue team to the incident location. “At 12.15 WIT, the Ternate Rescue Team of Kansar together with involved personnel mobilised to the incident site using KN SAR 237 Pandudewanata to conduct evacuation operations,” Ferdinando stated.
The KM Sabuk Nusantara 115, which was located not far from the incident site, attempted to tow the disabled vessel. However, this effort was hindered by extreme weather conditions in the waters, with wave heights reaching approximately 2.5 to 3 metres, complicating the towing operation. Additionally, the damaged vessel was reported to be listing approximately 20 degrees.
Nevertheless, the crew’s condition remains under observation, whilst evacuation operations continue by the combined search and rescue team. The rescue operation involves multiple agencies, including the Ternate Search and Rescue Office, the Directorate of Water and Air Police (Polairud) of the North Maluku Regional Police, the Maritime and Coastal Guard Unit (KPLP) Ternate, PT Pelni, and assistance from the KM Sabuk Nusantara 115 nearby.
According to preliminary data, seven persons were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. All remain in the process of evacuation by the combined search and rescue team. Rescue and evacuation operations continue, whilst the identities of the crew members remain to be confirmed.