Speedboat Carrying 11 Foreign Tourists Goes Missing in Tomini Bay

A speedboat carrying 13 passengers, comprising 11 foreign tourists and two crew members, has been reported missing whilst sailing the waters of Tomini Bay in Tojo Unauna Regency, Central Sulawesi. Entering the second day of the search on Saturday (25/7), the Joint SAR Team is continuing to maximise sweeping efforts in the area. The vessel departed from Sanctum Unauna Dive Resort bound for Marisa Port in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province, on Friday (24/7) at 07:30 WITA. It was scheduled to arrive around 11:00 WITA, but by 15:00 WITA the boat had still not docked. Panic ensued when local tour guide Mimin reported the incident to the Gorontalo Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) on Friday afternoon at 15:40 WITA to request search assistance. “We received the report on Friday and immediately launched a search operation,” said Head of Basarnas Gorontalo, Heriyanto, when contacted from Palu City on Saturday (25/7). According to Heriyanto, there were 13 people on board: one skipper, one crew member, and 11 foreign tourist guests. The skipper was identified as Ferdiansyah, 29, and the crew member as Arif, 27. “Since Saturday morning at 06:00 WITA, the joint SAR team has divided personnel and search assets into three Search and Rescue Units (SRU),” Heriyanto stated. SRU 1 (KAL Limboto) is sweeping along the estimated route with a search area coverage of 200 NM². SRU 2 (Rigid Inflatable Boat RIB 03 Gorontalo) is sweeping an area of 50 NM² around the main shipping lane. Meanwhile, SRU 3 (Speed Boat Sanctum Una-Una), a team from the resort, has also deployed a speedboat to sweep an area of 50 NM². The search is focused on estimated coordinates 0° 8’42.79” S - 121°48’15.46” E (Radial 205° Southwest from Pantai Pohon Cinta, with a straight-line distance of approximately 20.23 NM). Dozens of personnel have been deployed, comprising elements from KPP Gorontalo, Marisa SAR Post, Polairud, Pohuwato Police, Gorontalo/Marisa Naval Base, and Sanctum Unauna Resort. Advanced equipment including a thermal drone, diving gear, and specialised communication systems have also been deployed to the location. “Although the BMKG weather forecast indicates clear skies, the field team is facing natural challenges in the form of high waves ranging between 1.25 and 2.5 metres, as well as strong winds blowing at 10–20 knots,” Heriyanto revealed. As of the time of reporting, there has been no sign of the vessel or its occupants. The search operation is continuing by maximising the remaining daylight hours.