Ship's crew survives ordeal

SEMARANG: Six crew members of the Saubi Jaya Surabaya survived for six days in the Java Sea after their ship sank. They said they ate seaweed and munched on sandals.

The crew members were picked up from their lifeboat by a passing ferry.

The captain of the ship, Komarudin, who was among the survivors, told The Jakarta Post late Tuesday in Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang that his ship departed for Sampit in Central Kalimantan for Bangkalan Island in Madura. It was carrying planks.

The accident occurred near Bawean Island when the engine broke down, Komaruddin said. "Large waves continually hit us until the ship sank," he said. The crew members, who are in their 20s, are hospitalized.