SAR Team Searches for KM Gunung Dempo Passenger Who Fell Overboard in Roon Waters

A joint SAR team is conducting a search operation for Hery Wonda, 26, a passenger on the KM Gunung Dempo who was reported to have fallen overboard in the waters around Roon Island, Numamura Strait, Cenderawasih Bay, Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua. The victim fell from the ship’s seventh deck during a voyage from Wasior to Nabire on Tuesday (23/6) at approximately 16:37 WIT.

Head of Basarnas Manokwari, Yefri Sabaruddin, stated that information about the incident was received on Wednesday (24/6) at around 15:00 WIT from the Head of PT Pelni’s Wasior Teluk Wondama branch, Malik Abdul Rais.

According to the report received by Basarnas, the crew of the KM Gunung Dempo had attempted a search and rescue effort shortly after the victim fell into the sea. However, the initial search was halted as the victim had not yet been found.

Basarnas Manokwari subsequently dispatched the Teluk Wondama SAR Alert Unit Rescue Team to the incident location. The team is also coordinating with several relevant elements to optimise the search operation in the area.

Elements involved in the search operation include the Wondama SAR Alert Unit, the Water and Air Police of Teluk Wondama Police, the Wasior Sea and Coast Guard Unit, PT Pelni, and the Teluk Wondama Regional Disaster Management Agency. The SAR team is also coordinating with the community and potential SAR elements in Yopanggar Village, the area closest to the incident site, which is considered crucial for expanding the search area.

The team is utilising supporting equipment including one rescue carrier, one rubber boat, one motorcycle, communication devices, and other SAR equipment. Based on weather forecasts for the operation area, conditions are observed to be clear, with wind speeds ranging from 2 to 11 knots from the east and wave heights between 0.5 and 1 metre. The search operation for the victim is still ongoing.