Search for KM Arupadatu I Narrowed, Basarnas Deploys 570 Personnel

Basarnas has narrowed and detailed the search area for the fast boat KM Arupadatu I, which was carrying a group of journalists in the Sunda Strait, on the ninth day of operations, Wednesday (16/9). The team is reaching closer to the coastal areas by dividing the search into eight simultaneous sectors.

The Head of Operations for the Banten SAR Office, Rizky Dwianto, speaking from the Main Joint SAR Post at Carita Beach, Pandeglang, on Wednesday, stated that the total search area on the ninth day covers 3,439 nautical mile (NM) square.

“Today, we have divided the search area into eight sectors to focus our sweeping efforts. Previously, the track spacing for the ship search was approximately 3 nautical miles; today, we have tightened this to 1 to 2 NM to ensure a more detailed sweep,” he said.

He explained that the deployment of the fleet is focused on the area southeast of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK), in accordance with the results of calculations regarding current movement, waves, and wind from the SARMAP modelling.

During the ninth day of the operation, the joint SAR team deployed 570 personnel, consisting of 307 personnel in the main sea fleet and 263 personnel on standby at the land post, supported by a total of 22 sweeping vessels.

The deployed sea fleet includes three KN SAR units and two RIB units belonging to Basarnas, five KRI units, two KAL units, and one RBB unit from the Indonesian Navy, as well as eight patrol boats from the Polairud (Water Police).