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.
The fire completely consumed the Ocean Pure 1 as it burned to the waterline. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the afternoon hours of December 21, the 128 meter long, 8753 dwt container ship Kuala Mas (IMO:9555632) sank in Kupang Bay off Bolok Village, West Kupang District, Indonesia. The Kuala Mas was proceeding from Makassar to Kupang with cargo of containers loaded with rice and cement. Reports state the Kuala Mas had suffered a breakdown and went adrift before it allided with the anchored 127 meter long, 12959 dwt tanker Maritim Khatulistiwa (IMO: 9300776). The allision resulted in a hole in the hull below the waterline on the Kuala Mas. The vessel suffered water ingress and developed a 10 degree list to starboard.
After several hours of attempting to control the flooding, the crew determined the water ingress could not be abated. The master of the Kuala Mas decided the only action left was to head for shallow water to prevent the vessel from sinking in deeper waters. The vessel headed towards the Bolok Kupang pier, but the Kuala Mas was in danger of sinking before reaching the dock. Authorities received a request for evacuation with the NTT Police responding. Three rescue boats arrived and transported all 20 crew safely to shore. No reports of injuries.
The Kuala Mas would later capsize and sink a short time later. Many of the cargo containers broke free from the sinking ship with some floating away while others sinking to the seabed. Authorities plan to collect the floating containers. A boom was placed around the wreckage to contain any oil pollution. The incident is under investigation. The Kuala Mas had previously caught fire back in 2018 off Nirwana Island.
On October 2, the 44.3 meter long, 646 gt ro-ro passenger ferry KMP Tadnemand (IMO: 9027386) caught fire while at anchor off the ferry terminal at Telaga Punggur, Batam Island, Indonesia. The fire started on the top deck near the wheelhouse and passenger rooms and quickly spread across the top deck. Dense smoke was spotted by nearby vessels which alerted authorities of the fire. Authorities dispatched the patrol vessel KN Kalimasadha and later the KNP 376, KN Rantos along with additional vessels to the provide assistance. The vessels were able to get the fire extinguished within 4 hours while all 17 crew on board the KMP Tadnemand were safely evacuated. No reports of injuries.
The result of the fire was the top two decks were gutted by the fire and the lower deck heavily damaged. There were no vehicles or passengers on board at the time of the incident.
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The rescued crew had reported the fire may have started by an electrical fire caused by a short circuit on the bridge of the ferry. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
