Bali News

Bad weather in Bali strait has caused two accidents involving three vessels serving the route between Gilimanuk port of Bali and Ketapang port of Java. The first accident took place at the landing craft machine (LCM) pier between landing craft tank (LCT) commanded by Eddy Baskoro and passenger ferry Pertiwi Nusantara commanded by Hermanto.

LCT Arjuna, a vessel made in Japan back in 1993, was loading when Pertiwi Nusantara, coming from Ketapang, approached the port to land at moving bridge pier. Hermanto failed to control his vessel against strong wind and current dragging the old 1985 made vessel to hit LCT Arjuna, leaving a hole in its body. Fortunately no victims was reported.

To prevent further impact, Eko Baskoro moved his vessel to another pier. Unfortunately his effort failed to save it from harm. As it moved to another pier, LCT Putri Sri Tanjung Merah, commanded by Dwi Kurniawan, hit it for the second time. Just like the previous incident, the vessel owned by the Regency Government of Banyuwangi which was made back in 2004 in Samarinda failed to fight against strong wind and water current when it approached the port.

LCT Arjuna had quite serious damages caused by the two incidents whilst the two other vessels only got scratches. Edi Baskoro decided to to cancel his trip to avoid potential risk. Loaded cargo was unloaded, and the vessel was moved away for repair. “LCT Putri Sri Tanjung Merah and passenger ferry Pertiwi Nusantara remain in operation as they were not getting serious damage”, said the Chief of Gilimanuk Port Police, Adjunct Commissioner I Nyoman Suparta.

Port authority chief Dewa Nyoman Kari informed that there were no victims in the consecutive incidents, which was caused purely by bad weather. “The incidents were purely caused by bad weather, not by mistake of the crews on duty. We unfortunately prohibited LCT Arjuna from sailing before its serious damages repaired here in Gilimanuk”, he said.