Underwater SAR Operation for KM Virgo Transport 8 Ready to Commence, Ship Located at 29-Metre Depth
An underwater search and rescue (salvage) operation for the 129 passengers of the KM Virgo Transport 8, which sank in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea, is ready to be deployed. Diving teams have successfully descended to the ship’s hull at a depth of 29 metres to conduct identification in preparation for the underwater salvage operation.
This was stated by the Director of Operations of the National Search and Rescue Agency, Rear Admiral TNI Yudhi Bramantyo, during a press briefing regarding the progress of the KM Virgo Transport 8 search at the Trisakti Port post in Banjarmasin on Thursday night.
“The weather conditions in the Java Sea around the shipwreck site are quite favourable, with low waves and current speeds of 1.4 to 2 knots, allowing the diving teams to descend,” he said.
Kopaska divers and special Indonesian Navy diving teams successfully reached the ship’s hull to perform identification for the upcoming salvage operation. The diving teams operated from 06:00 to 14:00 WITA. Preparations for the salvage operation are now complete; necessary equipment is currently in transit from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, and expert teams are on standby.
Additionally, the navigation team has successfully installed buoy markers to denote the salvage operation site. Based on aerial observations via helicopter, it was noted that the ship’s position has shifted 4sm 453 metres from its last recorded position, remaining at a depth of approximately 29 metres.
“The waters around the ship are relatively clear, meaning there are no fuel leaks, which will facilitate the salvage operation. We hope the weather remains favourable so the operation can proceed smoothly,” Yudhi added.
In the expanded maritime SAR operation, which covers four main sectors spanning a total area of 5,600 nautical miles, several items belonging to the ship and its passengers have been recovered. This includes the discovery of a lifeboat in the Batakan Beach area of Tanah Laut Regency and in Seruyan, Central Kalimantan.
Management of the shipwreck site is also a priority to ensure maritime safety and prevent navigational hazards for passing vessels. The National Search and Rescue Agency and the families of the victims held a joint prayer session for the safety and smooth evacuation of the victims.
To date, out of the 243 individuals on the manifest, 114 have been found (108 survivors and 6 deceased), while 129 people remain missing. On the third day of the SAR operation, Indonesian Navy personnel from KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 discovered several expedition packages.
Furthermore, the Garut Police have collected Ante Mortem data and DNA samples from 13 families of the victims in Karangpawitan to accelerate the identification process. The sinking of the KM Virgo Transport 8 in the Masalembo waters serves as a grim reminder of the series of tragic accidents in the area, popularly nicknamed the “Bermuda Triangle of Indonesia.”
Search and rescue efforts for the remaining victims are ongoing by the joint SAR team. Basarnas has confirmed that 114 victims have been located, consisting of 108 survivors and 6 fatalities.