Vegetable Transport Vessel Runs Aground at Panggang Island Due to Drowsy Captain

Jakarta — A vegetable transport vessel named KM Pratiwi ran aground in waters near the Soft Coral Besar Dive Spot in Panggang Island, North Thousand Islands District, Thousand Islands Regency, on Monday due to the vessel’s captain allegedly becoming drowsy.

“During the journey, the captain is suspected of falling asleep, causing the vessel to strike a coral reef in waters near the Soft Coral Besar Dive Spot at 05:00 Western Indonesian Time,” said Aris, an official from the Fire and Rescue Division (Gulkarmat) for North Jakarta and the Thousand Islands, speaking in Jakarta on Monday.

According to him, six passengers were successfully rescued. “Thank God there were no fatalities in this incident and all passengers were safely evacuated,” he said.

Aris stated that his team received a report of the incident at approximately 05:07 Western Indonesian Time from a resident named Saeful. Following the report, seven personnel from the Karya Island Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the location using Satria Biru unit 07 to conduct the evacuation.

The evacuation process began at around 05:12 Western Indonesian Time and was completed by 06:40 Western Indonesian Time. “After the response operation, the situation was declared safe and under control,” he said.

One passenger, Mulyati (50), admitted that she panicked when the vessel suddenly stopped after hitting the reef.

According to her, the vessel was travelling to Panggang Island when it suddenly felt as though it had struck something and came to a halt.

“We were all frightened, but we are grateful that the Fire and Rescue personnel arrived quickly to help us,” she said.