SAR Team: Five Survive, One Missing in Kotabaru Boat Collision
A joint SAR team is searching for one missing victim following a boat collision in the waters off Labuan Mas Village, Pulau Laut Selatan, Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan, while five other victims survived and one was found dead.
Head of the Banjarmasin SAR Office, I Putu Sudayana, serving as SAR Mission Coordinator, stated on Wednesday that the missing victim is Gilang (23), a resident of Hilir Muara Village, Pulau Laut Sigam District, Kotabaru Regency.
According to the report received by the Banjarmasin SAR Office, the maritime accident occurred on Tuesday (16/6) at approximately 09:00 Wita. The fishing vessel Mega Harapan, carrying seven people including one captain and six crew members, was sailing from Samber Gelap Island towards Tanjung Serudung Village.
Putu explained that around 13:00 Wita on the day of the incident, the survivors were found by a passing fishing boat near the accident site and evacuated to Labuan Mas Village. Local fishermen also conducted an initial search for the missing person before the information was relayed to the Kotabaru Police Water Unit and reported to the Banjarmasin SAR Office.
Following the report, the Kotabaru SAR Post deployed five rescue personnel using a Rigid Inflatable Boat to the location to conduct search operations alongside other joint SAR elements.
The joint SAR team involved in the operation comprises personnel from the Kotabaru SAR Post, Kotabaru Naval Base, Kotabaru Police Water Unit, Kotabaru Regency BPBD, and local fishermen. The search is being carried out by sweeping the area around the incident site and zones estimated to be the direction of the victim’s drift.
“The search is conducted by sweeping the area around the incident site and calculating the possible movement of the victim in the waters. As of now, one victim is still being searched for, and we will continue our efforts together with all joint SAR elements until the victim is found,” said Putu.
He noted that the search operation is supported by various SAR equipment, including a Rigid Inflatable Boat, water rescue equipment, diving gear, communication devices, and other supporting facilities to expand the search coverage.
Weather conditions at the search location are reported to be clear, and so far there are no significant obstacles hindering the operation, allowing all SAR elements to optimise the search efforts for the still-missing victim.
Banjarmasin Basarnas also extended condolences to the family of the deceased victim and urged the public, especially fishermen and maritime transport users, to always prioritise safety aspects when operating in the waters.
“We urge the entire community to always pay attention to shipping safety factors, use adequate safety equipment, and immediately report to the authorities in the event of an emergency at sea so that handling can be carried out as quickly as possible,” said I Putu Sudayana.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the SAR operation was still ongoing, and the joint SAR team continued searching for the missing victim in the waters around Labuan Mas Village, Pulau Laut Selatan District, Kotabaru Regency.