Warship serves Jepara-Karimunjawa

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Holidaymakers to Karimunjawa Island will soon be able to add to their experience by riding a commercial warship.

The curious news came last week as the Jepara regency government plans to operate a Landing Ship Tank (LST) to service the Jepara-Karimunjawa route after the regular ferry, KM Sejati Berkah was declared unseaworthy.

Gatot Soedjantoko, head of the Central Java Transportation office, said last week that the warship would be operated pending the completion of KM Sejati Berkah's substitute.

He said that the current absence of ferries has been a windfall for local fishermen who lease their fishing boats to tourists and traveling residents.

The replacement is being built by the Surabaya-based PT PAL shipyard, Antara reported.(02)