Indonesia - Shipwreck Log

On the morning of January 18, the 91.5 meter long, 2380 dwt cargo vessel Suryani Ladjoni (IMO: 7526766) became disabled in the Java Sea off Madura Island, Indonesia. The Suryani Ladjoni was headed to Surabaya from Banjarmasin in rough conditions when it suffered hull failure and water ingress. The vessel sent out a distress call stating the vessel was suffering water ingress from multiple points. Due to the flooding, the cargo vessel had develop a 25 degree list to port. Indonesian authorities dispatched the patrol boat KM Palung Mas to assist. The patrol boat arrived on scene and started coordinating efforts. All 18 crew of the Suryani Ladjoni abandoned ship into the vessel’s life rafts and then safely transferred over to the KM Palung Mas. The crew would be later taken to the port of Teluk Lamong. No reports of injuries.

News nor authorities have reported the final disposition of the Suryani Ladjoni. One report stated the vessel was still adrift, but did not state if the cargo vessel eventually ran aground or capsized and sank. There were no reports that any salvage efforts were being made by authorities or the vessel’s owners.

Dolphin 18

January 11, 2025 Paul Hancock

On the morning of December 11, the 93 meter long, 7950 dwt cargo vessel Dolphin 18 (IMO: 9216341) sank in the South China Sea some 146 nautical miles north of Riau Islands, Indonesia. The Dolphin 18 was headed to An Giang from Papua New Guinea with 5,300 cubic meters of wood when it suffered undisclosed accident and sent out a distress call. The 18 crew on board were able to abandon ship into 2 life rafts before the Dolphin 18 sank.

Authorities in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam issued out a maritime notice for nearby vessels to look for the life rafts. Fortunately, the 199 meter long container ship Nicolai Maersk (IMO: 9192454) was close by and safely rescued the 18 crew. Reports state all crew members are in good condition and no reports of injuries. The Nicolai Maersk will transport the crew to Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia.

The details as to why the cargo vessel sank have not be disclosed. Reports due state that weather was rough with strong winds reaching near gale force (28 knots) and waves reaching 5 meters high. No government authority has announced any investigation into the incident. The Dolphin 18 is operated by Hai Phuong Shipping Company Limited based in Vietnam.

Ocean Pure 1

January 2, 2025 Paul Hancock

On the afternoon of December 31, 2024, the two-masted 34 meter long, 396 gt passenger ketch sailing vessel Ocean Pure 1 (MMSI: 525401533) caught fire in the Halmahera Sea while anchored off Waigeo Island, Indonesia. The fire started by an electrical short behind the dryer in the laundry room. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze, but the fire had become uncontrollable. The vessel sent out a distress call and all the 18 crew and 10 passengers on board abandoned ship into the vessel’s lifeboats. The crew and passengers safely landed on the shore of Yefinat Island. One crew had sustained severe burns from the fire and was later evacuated by authorities to a hospital in Waisai.