On the night of November 10, a ferry (name not disclosed) sank on the Mahakam River near Ujoh Halang in Long Iram district, West Kutai, Indonesia. The ferry was headed to a pier of a palm oil plantation loaded with 28 passengers and sacks of cement. Authorities state that ferry was overloaded and there was a strong current at the time of the sinking. Rescuers were able to save 20 of the 28 passengers. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On November 12, the 39 meter long, 553 gt ro-ro passenger ferry KMP Cemerlang No. 55 (IMO: 8032334) became disabled in the Bali Strait some 1.8 nautical miles from Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia. The ferry was on its regular route between Ketapang to Gilimanuk with 56 passengers and 13 crew members when it suffered a mechanical breakdown. Authorities were alerted who dispatched a rescue team from Gilimanuk. Aided by multiple vessels from other agencies, the passengers were evacuated within an hour and safely transported to shore. Reports state the KMP Cemerlang No. 55 was assisted to the jetty in Gilimanuk where it unloaded the vehicles on board. No reports of damage or pollution released.
On the morning of October 15, the 26 meter long tug Mitra Kencana X (MMSI: 525006214) sank on the Musi River at Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia. The Mitra Kencana X was about to depart with the barge Sumber Kencana, loaded with 3,000 tons of crude palm oil, and head into the middle of the river. Due to the strong river current, the towline tighten causing the tugboat to lose stability and capsized onto its starboard hull. The tug quickly filled with water and sank. All 10 crew members on board the Mitra Kencana X jumped overboard into the river. A nearby vessel rescue the crew and there were no reports of injuries.
Authorities were alerted of the incident and dispatched a response team to the scene. There was no signs of oil pollution in the area. An investigation was being conducted into the cause of the sinking. Initial findings suggest the sinking was due to the lack of pilot onboard the Mitra Kencana X when it departed.
