SAR Operation for KM Putri Yasmin Officially Closed

The Search and Rescue (SAR) operation following the fire aboard KMP Putri Yasmin in the waters of the Lombok Strait was officially closed on the eighth day, Wednesday (19/08). The closure came after a one-day extension of the search.

“In accordance with regulations, we are officially closing the SAR operation. However, this closure does not mean that monitoring has been halted,” said the Head of the Mataram SAR Office, Muhamad Hariyadi.

Hariyadi said that his office would continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with all SAR resources as well as the fishing community. Although the SAR operation has been officially closed, he noted that there remains a possibility of resuming the search if new evidence or leads are discovered.

“If at a later date signs or new information regarding the whereabouts of the victims are found, we will immediately reopen the SAR operation,” Hariyadi stressed.

During the eight days of the SAR operation, which began when the incident occurred, the joint SAR team succeeded in rescuing 212 passengers, while one person was found dead. As of the final day of the operation’s closure, four other victims remained missing. The search, which lasted from the first day to the eighth day, involved massive movements across three domains: air, sea, and land.

The maritime sector was swept in stages from the Lombok Strait and Bali, extending the search range to the southern waters of Java. The aerial search deployed a Finns SGi Air Bali helicopter as well as a CASSA NC212-200 (U-6215) aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Navy, along with thermal drones. On the sea surface, a fleet comprising KN SAR vessels, KAL vessels, passenger ships, yachts, RBBs, and RIBs was deployed simultaneously.

Meanwhile, on land, teams combed the coastline and disseminated information to fishermen and coastal communities. Posting and dissemination of information to passing ships was also carried out through Lembar VTS. Hariyadi stressed that every maximum effort and optimisation of primary equipment had been deployed in the field.

“For eight days, the Joint SAR Team has fought to the utmost from the air, sea, and land,” said Hariyadi.

The search area had been expanded to cover the waters of Lombok, Bali, and Java. However, as of Wednesday (19/08) afternoon, the results remained nil and the whereabouts of the four victims had not been found.

With the official closure of the operation, he said, all SAR resources involved were returned to their respective units and agencies with thanks and high appreciation for the synergy established during the SAR operation.