SAR Surabaya Deploys Helicopter to Support Search for Virgo Ship
The Surabaya Search and Rescue (SAR) Office in East Java has deployed helicopter HR-3lag01 and the KN SAR 249 Permadi to support the search for the Virgo Transport 8 vessel, which lost contact during its voyage from Surabaya to Banjarmasin on Sunday.
The Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit PH, stated that helicopter HR-3601 departed from Squadron 400 at Lanudal Juanda at 08:22 WIB to support the Banjarmasin SAR Office in the search operation.
“Helicopter HR-3601 is manned by a five-person crew and carries two rescuers from the Surabaya SAR Office,” Nanang said in Surabaya on Sunday.
He explained that the helicopter was expected to arrive in Banjarmasin around 10:31 WIB to coordinate with the SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC) for the operation, I Putu Sudayana, Head of the Banjarmasin SAR Office.
“KN SAR 249 Permadi departed with an 11-person ship crew, carrying four rescuers from the Surabaya SAR Office and two personnel from the East Java Regional Police Water and Air Unit (Polairud),” he added.
Travelling at a speed of 14 knots, the KN SAR 249 Permadi is expected to reach the search area by 21:30 WIB to support the search for the vessel, which is known to be carrying 243 people.
According to Nanang, the Virgo Transport 8 was reported to have lost contact around 01:00 WIB after encountering bad weather conditions during its journey to Banjarmasin.
“The team is estimated to require approximately five hours to reach the last known position of the Virgo Transport 8,” he noted.
In addition to Surabaya SAR, personnel from the Sumenep SAR Post are also coordinating with the Masalembu SROP to issue alerts to ships passing near the incident site.
He stated that the alerts are being issued to disseminate information regarding the disappearance of the Virgo Transport 8, so that any vessel finding signs of the ship can immediately inform the joint SAR team.
“As of now, the search process is ongoing, involving joint SAR elements and support from vessels located near the incident area,” he concluded.