Possible Ship Parts to Undergo Examination

A joint search and rescue team discovered two parts that may belong to the KM Sinar Bangun vessel at a depth of 490 meters in Lake Toba. The two curved objects that resemble the ship hull were found some 500-1,000 meters from the location where the ship capsized.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Penyelidikan dan Pencarian Kapal SB di Danau Toba

A joint search and rescue (SAR) team dive into Lake Toba in Simalungun regency, North Sumatra, on Sunday (24/6/2018). SAR activities to locate survivors of the capsized KM Sinar Bangun ferry have entered day seven. Some 184 passengers remain unaccounted for.[/caption]

SAMOSIR, KOMPAS — A joint search and rescue team  discovered two parts that may belong to the KM Sinar Bangun vessel at a depth of 490 meters in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, on Sunday (24/6/2018). The two curved objects that resemble the ship hull were found some 500-1,000 meters from the location where the ship capsized.

The finding followed the use of a multi-beam echo sounder belonging to the National SAR Agency (Basarnas) on Sunday. The device was loaded from a Basarnas ship at Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, and was then installed on a ferry at Lake Toba.

The multi-beam echo sounder has been used since 7 a.m. Basarnas head Rear Marshal Muhammad Syaugi led the search effort. The ship moved slowly to the spot where KM Sinar Bangun sank about 3 kilometers from Tigaras Port. A SAR ship and some rubber boats followed the ship.

KM Sinar Bangun capsized in Lake Toba on Monday (18/6) afternoon. As of Sunday, 184 people were still missing, 19 were found alive and three dead. The vessel, which had departed from Simanindo Port, Samosir regency, for Tigaras Port, Simalungun regency, capsized reportedly on account of operating beyond its capacity and bad weather. Many people were reportedly trapped inside the vessel.

Syaugi said the joint SAR team needed to examine the two parts that may belong to the vessel. Both objects resemble the ship’s hull. Both objects were 20-25 meters in length.

“We need to observe further to ensure if those objects are KM Sinar Bangun,” Syaugi said.

The search for the ill-fated vessel in the past seven days was met with difficulties due to the depth of the lake, which reaches 500 meters. The joint team has deployed divers, yet they could only dive to the depth of 50 meters. The team then used remotely operated vehicles (ROV), a machine that can visually observe in areas 200 meters under water.

Later, multi-beam sides scan sonar belonging to the Indonesian Navy oceanography center was employed to detect objects 600 meters underwater. But again the machine cannot observe objects around the spot where the vessel capsized.

Three more days

Thus, Basarnas is using a multi-beam echo sounder that can detect objects up to 2,000 meters underwater. This device detected the parts that may belong to KM Sinar Bangun some 490 meters underwater.

Syaugi said the search effort would continue for three days. “We hope in the next three days, the search effort can be completed,” he said.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

M Syaugi

Aside from the underwater search, Syaugi said, the SAR team was also monitoring the water’s surface. Eighteen rafts have been deployed to monitor the coast within a radius of 30 kilometers. A helicopter has also been deployed.

Meanwhile, during his visit to Tigaras Port, Social Affairs Minister Idrus Marham said officials needed also to provide food and beverages to the relatives of victims staying at Tigaras Port. The ministry has set up a temporary kitchen to provide food.

Idrus said the ministry would provide compensation for the victims or relatives of the victims. The compensation will be given to the deceased victims, survivors and those missing.

Ship captain a suspect

The police have named Yosi Tua Sagala, 43, the captain of KM Sinar Bangun, a suspect. The police are still investigating the case and may name more suspects.

Yosi was named a suspect on Saturday night. When asked about the naming of more suspects, North Sumatra Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Tatan Dirsan Atmaja said he had no idea.

“As far as I know, the captain is a suspect. I’m still in Central Tapanuli. We will provide information tomorrow [Monday],” said Tatan, who was contacted from Simanindo, Samosir regency yesterday.

Yosi has been charged under articles 302 and 303 of Law No. 17/2008 on shipping and Article 359 of the Criminal Code. Under those articles, he may face up to 10 years in prison and an Rp 1.5 billion fine.

Previously, Samosir Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Darojat said the police had questioned some people, including the ship’s captain, crew and officials from the Samosir Transportation Agency.

(NSA/DIT)