Transport Minister Asserts No Compromise on Maritime Safety
The Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagundhi, has instructed all ranks of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation to strengthen supervision and ensure that all maritime safety systems are fully operational. This directive follows a series of maritime accidents and incidents occurring in close proximity.
The Minister emphasised that these conditions must serve as a momentum for evaluation and correction regarding the implementation of maritime safety. He noted that safety systems must not merely exist on paper but must be actively applied in the field.
“There is no compromise for safety, because no cargo, schedule, or commercial interest is more valuable than human life. Maritime safety must be proven through real conditions in the field, not just through the completeness of documents and certificates,” Dudy stated in a statement received on Wednesday (16/9).
“We must ensure that ships are truly seaworthy, cargo is appropriate, crews are ready, weather is safe for sailing, and all safety equipment is functioning before a ship is granted permission to sail,” he asserted.
The Minister ordered the Harbour Master and Port Authority Office (KSOP) to exercise its authority strictly in issuing Sailing Approval Letters (SPB), including delaying or withholding permits if safety requirements are not met. He noted that the SPB is not merely an administrative document but a decision directly related to the safety of passengers and crew.
“If requirements are not met, do not allow the ship to depart. If deficiencies that endanger lives are found, stop it. If the weather is unsuitable, delay it. I will stand behind officers who dare to make the correct safety decisions, even if those decisions are unpopular,” said Dudundy.
In addition to seaworthiness, the Minister requested that passenger and cargo manifests be improved to ensure they are always accurate, up-to-date, and reflective of the actual conditions on board. Data regarding passengers, crew, vehicles, and cargo—including dangerous goods—must be recorded in real-time to serve as the basis for supervision and safety decision-making.
The Minister also called on operators to ensure that safety management systems are not just documents for inspection purposes, but are implemented through real risk identification and control measures. He added that crews must have adequate rest periods, sufficient personnel, and the ability to execute emergency procedures, while captains must receive full support to prioritise safety.
Regarding navigation, the Ministry of Transportation’s ranks have been asked to strengthen early warning functions and monitoring through navigation districts, vessel traffic services (VTS), coastal radio stations, maritime navigation aids (SBNP), automatic identification systems (AIS), and ship communications. Weather information from the BMKG must also be translated into operational decisions, considering waves, wind, visibility, and water conditions.
The Ministry will also strengthen emergency preparedness by ensuring that patrol boats, communication devices, personnel, and coordination mechanisms with Basarnas, the TNI, the Police, local governments, and operators can act swiftly.
The Minister emphasised that every accident and incident must result in lessons learned and corrective actions, ensuring that evaluations lead to changes in regulations, standard operating procedures (SOP), supervision, and operational readiness.
Regarding the accident involving KMP Virgo Transport 8, Dudy stated that he would not preempt the investigation results. “We should not speculate on the cause of the accident. Let the investigation process work professionally and independently. Nevertheless, we do not need to wait for the investigation results to begin making improvements,” he concluded.