Steel Cables Installed on Virgo Ship to Facilitate Towing Operations

The Virgo Transport 8, which sank in the Java Sea, is planned to be towed as soon as possible. Steel cables have been installed to facilitate the ship’s towing process.

“Yesterday, cables were installed so that the salvage team can easily pull the ship; we also sent additional ropes to make the salvage team’s task easier. These cables are essential to withstand the currents at the location,” said the Commander of the Banjarmasin Naval Base, Colonel (P) Galih Nurna Putra, as reported by detikKalimantan on Friday (18/09/2026).

He stated that the cables are vital for the towing process as they can withstand the local currents. During the previous phase, Nurna mentioned that several divers had descended to the seabed to inspect the condition of the vessel.

During the operation, the diving team discovered several items that could serve as evidence to be submitted to the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT).

“Three days ago, the diving team descended to the seabed to carry out their duties and found evidence around and attached to the ship on the seabed; these items have been brought here and handed over to the KNKT,” Nurna said.

Observations at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, show that several items from the Virgo Transport 8 have arrived. The Head of the SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC), I Putu Sudayana, explained that the items arriving in Banjarmasin were recovered by the diving team yesterday. The items were transported by the KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai and delivered via two Indonesian Navy speedboats.