Search for KM Nurul Salsa: Two Indonesian Navy Warships Deployed to Reinforce Sweep
The search for KM Nurul Salsa in waters west of Polassi Island, Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi, has entered its fifth day. Basarnas has not only widened the operational area to 1,305 square nautical miles (nm²) but has also reinforced the fleet with two Republic of Indonesia warships, KRI Marlin 877 and KRI Hiu 634.
Amid waves of 2–3 metres continuing to batter the waters of Selayar, the search for the 20 people still missing continues at full pace, with the operation divided into four strategic sectors.
Based on Search and Rescue Marine Prediction (SARMAP) calculations, the search area has been split into four sectors, each covering 337.5 nm².
Each sector is staffed by one key element: KN SAR Puntadewa 250, KN SAR Pacitan 102, KRI Marlin 877, and KRI Hiu 634. The sweeping pattern has been designed to criss-cross in order to close any gaps, given that the dynamic currents and winds of Selayar pose the greatest challenge.
Andi Sultan, Head of the Operations and Alert Section at the Basarnas Makassar Office, emphasised that the addition of maritime assets is not merely a matter of numbers, but a strategy to reduce time-related risks.
“We continue to drive up effectiveness with four sectors staffed by robust vessels. KRI Marlin, which previously joined on the second day, has now returned, and KRI Hiu from Palu has come to reinforce. This is a form of our commitment that we will not stop until every point has been monitored,” he said on Sunday (19 July).
Meanwhile, KN SAR Kamajaya is currently heading to Benteng Port in Selayar, carrying five survivors found on Saturday (18 July).
The five survivors will immediately be handed over to the local hospital for intensive care, before the vessel turns around to rejoin the search operation.
To date, of the 78 people aboard the ill-fated vessel, 57 have been found alive, one has been found dead, and 20 others remain on the missing list.
The search involves hundreds of personnel from multiple agencies, including Basarnas Makassar, the Selayar SAR Post, Basarnas Kendari, Basarnas Maumere, the Indonesian Navy, the Indonesian Air Force, the Marine Police, BPBD, the Harboursmaster, SROP Selayar, SAR vessel crews, and local fishermen who have voluntarily deployed their boats.
The SAR operation is set to continue without a time limit, with daily evaluations to determine the next steps.
Basarnas Kendari has dispatched 28 personnel and KN SAR Pacitan to assist in the search for the missing victims of KM Nurul Salsa, which sank in the waters of Selayar.
Five passengers from the ill-fated motor vessel (KM) Nurul Salsa, which sank in the waters of Selayar, South Sulawesi, were found alive around Mattalang Island in Selayar Regency.