Ship Sinks in Labuan Bajo, Russian National and Captain Survive After Swimming for Four Hours

A ship sank in the waters of Seraya Island, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday (6/6) afternoon. A joint SAR team arrived at the scene, but no crew members were initially found on the vessel. The ship, named Berkah Kembar, had departed from Ketentang, Labuan Bajo, heading towards Seraya Kecil Island before the maritime accident occurred. The cause of the sinking remains unknown.

The vessel was carrying a Russian tourist, Akob Gurgenovich Ter-Saakian. Both Akob and the ship’s captain, Rinaldi, survived the incident. “It is true, a tourist from Russia,” said the Head of the Water and Air Police Unit (Kasatpolairud) of the West Manggarai Police, Iptu Leonardo Marpaung, on Sunday (7/6).

Leonardo stated that Akob and Rinaldi managed to save themselves and have since returned to Labuan Bajo. “Both swam individually and are safe. It turns out they are both skilled swimmers,” he added. Akob Gurgenovich swam for approximately four hours to escape the sinking ship. The Labuan Bajo SAR Post Coordinator, Arif Rahmadan, confirmed that both individuals are safe. Akob and Rinaldi utilised floating jerry cans to assist them in swimming for four hours to reach land. They were not on the ship when the joint SAR team arrived at the location on Saturday afternoon.