Police Investigate Australian Yacht Balamara Found Stranded in Rote Ndao
Police from the East Rote Sector (Polsek Rote Timur), Rote Ndao Resort, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), are conducting an intensive investigation following the discovery of an Australian-flagged yacht. The vessel was found stranded without any crew on Duile Beach, Oesosole Hamlet, Faifua Village, East Rote District, on Tuesday (16/6).
The yacht, identified as Balamara, was first discovered by local residents in a grounded condition. The discovery prompted significant questions as no crew or passengers were found on board when officers arrived at the scene.
East Rote Police Chief, Second Police Inspector (Ipda) A. Ikram Mahben, confirmed that an initial inspection of the vessel’s contents had been carried out. Officers found several important documents expected to help reveal the yacht’s origins.
“From the inspection, a number of documents were found pointing to the vessel’s identity, including a purchase offer form and a bill of sale containing the name Balamara, the type of vessel, hull number, and the identities of the seller and buyer,” Ikram said when contacted from Kupang on Wednesday (17/6).
In addition to administrative documents, police also secured several electronic items and other equipment from the cabin. Rote Ndao Police Chief, Senior Police Commissioner (AKBP) Mardiono, stated that measures have been taken to secure the vessel so it does not drift away with the sea currents. The Balamara yacht is currently moored at the discovery site with the assistance of the local community.
Given that the vessel flies an Australian flag, the Rote Ndao Police will coordinate with the NTT Regional Police and relevant agencies to investigate the yacht’s legal status and the possibility of any reports of a maritime accident or loss in international waters. Police are still examining data from a GPS device found on board to trace the vessel’s last route before it eventually stranded in Indonesian waters.
“We are still deepening our investigation into the documents and items found. Coordination is being carried out to confirm the vessel’s identity and determine the chronology of how this yacht could have become stranded without a crew in East Rote,” AKBP Mardiono stressed. As of the time this report was filed, maritime security authorities remain on standby around the location to secure the evidence and anticipate further developments regarding the yacht’s legal owner.