Search for Virgo 8 Vessel Underway; KN SAR Permadi and Helicopter Deployed
The Surabaya Search and Rescue (SAR) Office has dispatched KN SAR 249 Permadi and Helicopter HR 3601 to support the search for the Virgo Transport 8, which lost contact while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin on Sunday (13/9).
The vessel, carrying 243 passengers, was reported to have lost contact at approximately 01:00 WIB after previously encountering bad weather during its journey to Banjarmasin.
Upon receiving the report, the Banjarmasin SAR Office immediately deployed a rescue team from the Basirih SAR Pier at 04:30 WITA. This team is moving towards the estimated last position of the vessel using KN SAR Laksmana 241, with an estimated travel time of approximately five hours.
The Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, stated that his office also dispatched KN SAR 249 Permadi from the Tanjung Perak Port Navigation District Pier at 08:30 WIB to join the search. Travelling at a speed of 14 knots, the vessel is expected to arrive in the search area by 21:30 WIB.
“KN SAR 249 Permadi departed with a crew of 11, carrying 4 rescuers from the Surabaya SAR Office and 2 personnel from the East Java Regional Police Water and Air Police (Polairud),” said Nanang.
In addition to KN SAR 249 Permadi, Helicopter HR 3601 was also flown from Squadron 400 Lanudal Juanda at 08:22 WIB to assist the Banjarmasin SAR Office.
“The helicopter, carrying five crew members and two rescuers from the Surabaya SAR Office, is expected to arrive in Banjarmasin around 10:31 WIB and will coordinate with the SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC) for this operation, I Putu Sudayana, who also serves as the Head of the Banjarmasin SAR Office,” he added.
The search process is currently ongoing. Personnel from the Sumenep SAR Post are also coordinating with the SROP Maslembu to disseminate information regarding the incident to passing ships in the vicinity, requesting assistance in providing information to the joint SAR team should any signs of the Virgo Transport 8 be found.