Pinisi Runs Aground in Komodo National Park After Hitting Reef

The Pinisi Gajah Putih ran aground in the waters off Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday (11/7/2026). The vessel ran aground after striking a reef.

Fortunately, the grounding of the Pinisi Gajah Putih was brief. The ship, which was carrying a number of tourists, continued its journey after no leaks were found.

‘At Padar, the ship was aground only briefly before it was able to free itself from the reef and continue the trip after checks found no leaks,’ said the Head of the Labuan Bajo Class III Harbormaster and Port Authority Office, Stephanus Risdiyanto.

Stephanus said his office would conduct a re-inspection of the vessel’s condition upon its return to Labuan Bajo. The inspection is to ensure the ship’s seaworthiness for future voyages.

Stephanus was unable to provide data on the tourists who were passengers on the tourist vessel. ‘Wait for the ship to return from its trip,’ Stephanus said in response to a request for passenger data.

Stephanus confirmed that the Pinisi Gajah Putih had obtained a sailing permit from the Labuan Bajo Class III Harbormaster and Port Authority Office.

For context, the Pinisi Gajah Putih was the second tourist vessel to run aground after striking a reef in Labuan Bajo on Saturday (11/7/2026). Additionally, the speedboat Hook Up struck a reef in the waters north of Bidadari Island, Labuan Bajo, at around 04:30 Central Indonesian Time.