Search for Missing Crew Member of KM Ocean Three Enters Fourth Day in Natuna

A joint search and rescue (SAR) operation is continuing for a missing crew member of the KM Ocean Three in the waters off Natuna, Riau Islands, entering its fourth day on Tuesday. The search is focused on Yoga, a resident of Batu Karut, Setumuk Village, West Pulau Tiga District, who was reported missing after an incident at sea.

Acting Head of West Pulau Tiga District, Nico Lukmana, confirmed that the search involves a synergy between the professional SAR team and the local community. In addition to sweeping the sea lanes, residents have been deployed to monitor the coastline.

“Yes, the search is still ongoing today. Besides joining the SAR team on the sea routes, some community members are also conducting sweeps on land along the coastal areas,” Nico stated on Tuesday.

He explained that residents of West Pulau Tiga are scouring the shoreline from Pian Padang Beach to Cemaga using motorcycles from Selat Lampa. The expansion of the search area to the coast aims to anticipate the possibility that the victim may have been carried ashore by currents.

Despite the efforts, the search operation on the fourth day is facing challenges due to unfavourable weather conditions. Local fishermen have deployed two large pompong boats to support the team’s mobility amid the waves.

“On this fourth day, because the weather is poor, fishermen are using two large community-owned pompong. Meanwhile, the Joint SAR Team from Basarnas, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the National Police, and other related parties are still sweeping the waters,” Nico added.

The KM Ocean Three reportedly had three crew members on board at the time of the incident. Before the search focused on Yoga, the other two crew members were found in different conditions. The captain, Wan Zaidan, was found alive in the Natuna Sea after being missing for two days, having survived by clinging to a fiber fish box lid.