SAR Team Evacuates Body of Chinese Crew Member in Badung Strait
A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team evacuated the body of Zhang Wenli, a 47-year-old crew member of the MV Shandong De Yu, in the waters of the Badung Strait, Bali, on Tuesday (14/7). The vessel was reportedly en route from China to Australia.
Information regarding the incident was first received by the duty officer at the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office on Monday (13/7) evening, at approximately 22:47 Central Indonesia Time. The report was submitted by Zumar, a representative of the ship’s agent, PT Benoa Trans Cakrawala Perkasa.
According to the report, the victim experienced health problems, including shortness of breath, before being pronounced dead at 09:00 on the same day. At the time of the incident, the ship was positioned in the Badung Strait.
Following coordination between the vessel and the agent, an intercept point was agreed upon at coordinates 8°43’49.91”S - 115°17’28.42”E. The location was approximately 4.18 nautical miles from Benoa Harbour with a heading of 111°.
The evacuation process was carefully planned, involving the Benoa Harbormaster’s Office (KSOP) and the Benoa Health Quarantine Centre (BKK). On Tuesday morning at 06:55, a team consisting of four personnel from the Denpasar SAR Office, one agent representative, and one BKK officer departed using a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 02 Denpasar.
After approximately 15 minutes of travel, the joint SAR team managed to come alongside the hull of the MV Shandong De Yu. The ship’s crew then transferred the body to the RIB 02 to be brought ashore. The team docked back at Benoa Harbour at 07:55.
Upon arrival at the port, the body of Zhang Wenli was immediately evacuated by ambulance to Prof. Ngoerah Sanglah Hospital for further procedures.
This evacuation operation involved various joint elements, including the Denpasar SAR Office, Denpasar Naval Base (Lanal), Bali Police Water and Air Directorate (Dit Polair), Benoa Port Police (Polsek KP3), Benoa Harbormaster’s Office (KSOP), Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Benoa, Denpasar Class I Immigration Office, Benoa Customs and Excise Office, Denpasar Health Quarantine Centre for Benoa Seaport, and the ship’s agent PT Benoa Trans Cakrawala Perkasa.