On the afternoon of July 14, the fishing vessel KM Argo Mulyo caught fire in the Java Sea at the port in Tegal City, Indonesia. Witnesses stated they heard an explosion on the KM Argo Mulyo right before the fishing vessel caught fire. The fire quickly spread through out the fishing vessel engulfing the superstructure in flames.
Photo: tribunnews.com
The crew attempted to extinguished the blaze using a portal extinguisher before requesting assistance from the local fire brigade. The fire fighters along with emergency responders were deployed to the scene. To avoid the fire spreading to other nearby vessels, the KM Argo Mulyo was towed away and isolated from the other moored vessels. Reports state the fire gutted the KM Argo Mulyo. No reports of injuries.
On the night of July 2, the 63 meter long, 955 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Tunu Pratama Jaya (IMO: 8749432) sank in the Bali Strait off Ketapang Port, Indonesia. The ferry was making a regular crossing between Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi to Gilimanuk Port, Bali when it suffered water ingress in the engine room. The flooding could not be contained and the Tunu Pratama Jaya suffered a total power blackout a few minutes later. Adrift and being pulled by the strong currents, the ferry rolled in rough seas. The Tunu Pratama Jaya continued to roll until it finally lost stability allowing water to rush over its decks causing the ferry to capsize and sink in the middle of the strait.
The Tunu Pratama Jaya was able to send out a distress call with another ferry the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya 3888 responding. Unfortunately, the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya 3888 was unable to evacuate passengers or crew before the ferry sank. The Indonesian Navy, local water police and several volunteers began a search and operation looking for survivors in the water. Authorities report that 35 survivors were pulled from the water along with 6 bodies recovered.
The Tunu Pratama Jaya had listed to have 53 passengers and 12 crew on board, but this number may not match to the total who were on board during the incident. Reports state that rough seas with waves of 2 meters have hampered search efforts.
Photo: seblang.com
Photo: seblang.com
Photo: okezone.com
Photo: Bali Search and Rescue
Witness accounts stated the vessel was rolling badly before it finally capsized. These accounts stated that the vessel did not attempt to distribute life jackets before it sank. One account stated the passengers swam free of the ferry and found several life jackets in the water before being rescued by a local fisherman. The exact cause of the water ingress is still under investigation by authorities. Reports states that authorities halted the search and rescue operations later on July 3.
On the early morning of June 27, the tugboat Iska 1165 (MMSI: 525021101) ran aground and partially sank in Tanjung Goram some 33 nautical miles from the Wanci Marina Pier in Lantagi, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The tug was hit by high waves during a voyage from Ereke, North Buton to Moramo resulting in the Iska 1165 grounding. As waves swamped the tugboat, three crew attempted to swim ashore to seek help. One crew member reached shore while another swam back to the tugboat. The remaining crew member was swept away by the current.
Authorities dispatched rescuers to the scene, but found high waves prevented getting close to the tugboat. It would be several hours later when weather conditions improved that rescuers reached the Iska 1165. Authorities found 7 persons alive on the tugboat who were taken ashore and received medical treatment. The body of the crew member who was swept away by the current was recovered. No further details reported.
