Sinking of MV Marina Baru 2B

Last updated
Sinking of MV Marina Baru 2B
MV Marina Baru 2B.jpg
MV Marina Baru 2B prior to its sinking, seen at a dock in Makassar
Date19 December 2015;7 years ago (2015-12-19)
Time13:30 – 16:30 (UTC+8)
Location14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi) from Siwa Harbor, Bone Bay, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Coordinates 03°46′00″S120°39′00″E / 3.76667°S 120.65000°E / -3.76667; 120.65000
Cause
  • Ferry operated in an unsuitable weather condition
  • Design flaws
  • Poor handling from the crew during an emergency
Outcome
  • Sank at Bone Bay
  • 45 survivors rescued
  • 65 bodies recovered
  • 12 missing and presumed dead
Deaths65 confirmed
Missing12 (presumed dead)
Passengers and crews112
Survivors45

The sinking of MV Marina Baru 2B occurred just after noon on 19 December 2015. The high speed vessel carrying 112 passengers and crew sank off the coast of Bone, South Sulawesi in inclement weather conditions. A nine-day search and rescue operation, conducted by authorities, successfully rescued 45 survivors and recovered 65 bodies from the sea. Twelve people were declared missing and presumed dead.

Contents

The sinking was the deadliest shipwreck of 2015 in Indonesia and one of the worst in South Sulawesi. Multiple survivors stated that rough waves managed to damage the ferry's hull and flooded the vessel.

On 8 March 2018, the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee published the final report. They blamed bad weather as the main cause of the disaster, producing waves higher than the safe limit height for the ferry, which is two metres (6 ft 7 in). Due to this, a massive amount of water quickly flooded the ferry. Contributing to the disaster were design flaws in the ferry's structure and the poor handling of the emergency by the crew.

Sinking

The ferry, MV Marina Baru 2B, was used for regularly scheduled domestic ferry service from North Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi to Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi. The service usually took about three hours. The ferry had a capacity of 184 passengers and crew members. On 19 December 2015, at 11:00 local time (UTC+8), the ferry departed Kolaka Harbor. Video footage taken by onlookers during the departure showed that the weather at the time was in good condition. [1]

As the ferry passed Lambasina Island, the captain increased speed to around 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph). At approximately 12:30 local time, the ferry was in Bone Bay. [1]

The weather in the area started to deteriorate about 30 minutes later. Waves began to reach five metres (16 ft) and the wind became intense. Windspeeds at the time was recorded to be around 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph). The captain chose to continue to Siwa and to decrease the speed of the ferry by 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph). The ferry was repeatedly hit by rough waves and high winds causing the ship to roll violently. The captain struggled to maintain the control of the ferry and asked the crew to be on alert and to prepare the passengers for an emergency. [1]

At 13:30 local time, the crew heard a loud crack from the bow and the bulwark of the ferry started to separate. Moments later, the bulwark along with several objects on the forecastle deck broke free of the vessel. The captain then ordered the crew to check on the lower decks and assessment the situation at the bow. [1]

The crew quickly realised that water had flooded the passenger area of the lower deck and that passengers had already begun to panic. Quick examination revealed that water was entering the ferry through the bow door and the side passenger door. There were arguments between the crew on whether they should return to Kolaka or continue on to Wajo. The captain finally decided to return to Kolaka. As he was struggling for the controls, large amounts of water continued to enter and the ferry began taking on a heavy list. Passengers recalled that the ferry reached an angle of approximately 30 degrees. Several passengers tried in vain to bail the water out by hand but were later overwhelmed by the amount of water. [1]

The ferry, overwhelmed by wind, waves, and water egress, was finally stopped by the captain and the order given to abandon ship. At 14:20 local time, a distress transmission was sent to ground officers stating that the ferry was sinking and asking for immediate assistance. This was the last transmission from the ferry. The crew recalled that as they were evacuating the passengers, they only managed to inflate one life raft, while the other four were unusable. As a result, many passengers jumped into the sea without life vests and were swept away by the rough waves. [1]

At 16:30 local time, approximately 3 hours after the start of the sinking, the ferry was completely submerged. [1]

Search and rescue

The ground officers immediately contacted the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency at 14:20 local time. Multiple government agencies were also contacted. In response to the emergency, officials in Siwa Harbor dispatched MV Marina Express 3 to the area. However, due to the rough waves and windy condition in the area, officials postponed the rescue operation. The captain of the vessel decided to return to Tobakul/Lasusua. [1]

Officials later contacted the crew of MV New Camellia to observe the situation near the area where last contact had been made by MV Marina Baru 2B. However, the captain was unable to do so due to bad weather condition in the area. The search and rescue operation had to be called off by authorities due to the deteriorating weather condition. [1]

Members of the Kendari Search and Rescue Agency were briefed on the search and rescue operation MV Marina Baru 2B pencarian.jpg
Members of the Kendari Search and Rescue Agency were briefed on the search and rescue operation

The search and rescue operation was resumed on 20 December. A crisis center was set up in Siwa. Multiple ships and helicopters were dispatched to search survivors and victims. [2] The Indonesian Armed Forces stated that they would participate in the rescue operation. On 06:00 local time, the crew of MV Marina Express 3 managed to rescue 20 survivors. Two bodies were also recovered. Four survivors were later found by a local fisherman nearby. [2] On 09:00 local time, a group of 14 survivors were rescued while a body was retrieved from the sea. The search and rescue operation was hampered by bad weather. During the operation, a search and rescue ship was damaged by rough waves. [3]

On 21 December, Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency shifted the search area to the waters in North Kolaka and Kolaka, as the sea current would likely drift the passengers to the area. Most survivors were found in the area. [4] The head of the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency, Air Marshal (Ret.) Felicianus Henry Bambang Sulistyo, stated that he would observe the rescue effort and would visit the survivors and the relatives of the victims in the hospital. [5] One survivor was found and was immediately evacuated to Djafar Harun Hospital. In the evening, authorities announced that three bodies, including one child and one infant, had been recovered and 70 people were still missing. [6]

On 22 December, the search area was widened to Palopo. [7] At least 783 search and rescue personnel were dispatched. The captain of the ferry was found to have survived the sinking. [8] He claimed that initially, he was with another five people. However, they were later separated due to the strong waves. [9] Another survivor was found on flotsam. [10] The rescue operation was called off due to high waves. [11] Authorities announced that four bodies had been recovered. [1]

On 23 December, local fishermen recovered seven bodies in Bulu Puloe. Another nine bodies were recovered by search and rescue personnel. On 24 December, 36 bodies were found. [12] From 25 – 26 December, only one victim was recovered. Three victims were transported to Makassar for further identification. [13] Authorities stated that 12 were still missing. The search and rescue effort was extended for three days. [14] On 29 December 2015, the search and rescue operation was officially ended. 45 survivors were rescued, 65 bodies were recovered, and 12 people were never found. [15] [16]

Passengers and crews

There were conflicting reports on the actual number of passengers and crews who boarded the ferry. Several media stated that around 118–125 people were on board. Officials later confirmed that there were 108 passengers and four crew on board. [1] Among the dead were government officials from Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi and Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi. [17] [18]

Investigation

High waves

Most survivors stated that MV Marina Baru 2B sank due to the enormous height of the waves, which were as high as five metres (16 ft). [19]

Indonesian Meteorological Agency stated that they had warned the crews on the possibilities of high waves, with wind speed reaching as high as 45 km/h (24 kn; 28 mph). They later added that officials who worked in the harbor where the ferry departed should have cancelled the trip. [20] Examination on the radar data suggested that waves as high as three metres (9.8 ft) might have been formed due to the storm system throughout Bone Bay. [1]

Interviews on the survivors confirmed that the waves managed to enter the ferry through the bow door and the side passenger door. The water then managed to travel to the engine compartment. The pumps, which were responsible for taking the water out from the ferry, were overwhelmed by the massive amount of water. The engine compartment was flooded and the engine abruptly stopped. [1]

Sequence of the sinking of MV Marina Baru 2B (taken from the NTSC Final Report) MV Marina Baru 2B Chronology.jpg
Sequence of the sinking of MV Marina Baru 2B (taken from the NTSC Final Report)

The water then managed to move to the backup engine, which was located directly behind the main engine compartment. Water easily went through the door and flooded the backup engine. Both compartments were located at the back of the ferry, so the stern started to sink. The sinking of the stern caused more water to enter, which caused the last compartment, located behind the backup engine, to be flooded as well. As three compartments were flooded by water, the ferry was unable to float. [1]

Design flaws

Testimonies gathered from the survivors revealed that water entered the ferry through the bow door. Additional testimonies were given by the crews, who claimed that before the sinking they heard a crack near the bridge. The investigation revealed that there was a divider in the structure of the bow. This divider was responsible to prevent any water from entering the passenger area. Nearby, there was an access door to the forecastle deck. Investigators noted that the seal and the locking mechanism on the door was poor. The force of the wave was propelled by the captain's decision to move directly against the waves. Thus, the waves managed to tear open the access door, which was located on the forecastle deck of the ferry. The divider was proven to be not waterproof, thus allowing water to enter the passenger area. [1]

Investigation revealed that most doors on MV Marina Baru 2B were not waterproof. The doors should've been equipped with waterproof seals. Additionally, the investigation team found that there was a window in the engine compartment. The no-glass window was located at a close proximity with the waterline. Investigators noted that any openings were prohibited in the engine compartment. The ventilation on the engine compartment was also located at a near proximity with the waterline. During the sinking, MV Marina Baru 2B rolled several times. Investigators noted that there was a high chance that water managed to enter the ferry through the openings. [1]

Crew error and poor maintenance

Interviews from the survivors revealed that the survivors had to take their own initiatives to save the sinking ferry. Survivors claimed that instead of the crews, it was the passengers who managed the emergency, such as removing water from the ferry. There was no crowd control during the sinking, thus panic was not contained. [1]

The investigation also noted that several life-rafts and life-jackets were unusable during the sinking. It was revealed that there was minimum maintenance and observation on the reliability of the life-saving equipment on board the ferry. [1]

Aftermath

National Transportation Safety Committee issued ten recommendations in response to the accident. [1] The Ministry of Transportation stated that they would evaluate all ferry services in Kolaka. [21] Jasa Raharja stated that they would compensate the victims and the survivors of the disaster. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

MV Princess Victoria was one of the earliest roll-on/roll-off ferries. Completed in 1947, she operated from Stranraer, Scotland, to Larne, Northern Ireland, initially by the LMS until 1 January 1948 and thereafter by LMS's successor British Railways. During a severe European windstorm on 31 January 1953, she sank in the North Channel with the loss of 135 lives. This was then the deadliest maritime disaster in United Kingdom waters since World War II. For many years it was believed that 133 people had lost their lives in the disaster. However, research by a local historian, Liam Kelly, identified two other victims—Gordon Wright and Thomas Saunders—who had not been identified as there had been no passenger list at the time.

MS <i>al-Salam Boccaccio 98</i> Egyptian Ro/Ro passenger ferry

The MS al-Salam Boccaccio 98 was an Egyptian Ro/Ro passenger ferry, operated by El Salam Maritime Transport, that sank on 3 February 2006 in the Red Sea en route from Duba, Saudi Arabia, to Safaga in southern Egypt.

MV <i>Senopati Nusantara</i> Indonesian ferry; sank in a 2006 storm

The MV Senopati Nusantara was an Indonesian ferry that sank in a storm on December 30, 2006. The Japanese-made ship was a scheduled passenger liner from the port of Kumai in Central Kalimantan (Borneo) to Tanjung Emas port in Semarang, Central Java. About 40 km (25 mi) off Mandalika Island, the ship sank during a violent storm in the Java Sea. At least 400–500 people are thought to have drowned.

MV <i>Princess of the Stars</i> Philippine passenger ferry, sank disastrously

MV Princess of the Stars was a passenger ferry owned by Filipino shipping company Sulpicio Lines, that capsized and sank on June 21, 2008, off the coast of San Fernando, Romblon, at the height of Typhoon Fengshen, which passed directly over Romblon as a Category 2 storm. 814 people died.

Sinking of MV <i>Teratai Prima</i>

The sinking of MV Teratai Prima occurred on 11 January 2009, around 04:00 local time when a ferry carrying more than 300 people capsized in the Makassar Strait off West Sulawesi, Survivors stated that the ferry had been slammed by 4-metre (13 ft) waves twice. The first one hit so hard that the ship became unbalanced, before another wave hit from a different direction and sank the vessel.

Sinking of MV <i>Dumai Express 10</i>

The sinking of MV Dumai Express 10 occurred on the morning of 22 November 2009 when a ferry carrying more than 300 people sank near the island of Iyu Kecil in Karimun Regency, Riau Islands during bad weather. Eyewitnesses reported that massive waves had struck the ferry repeatedly, causing the starboard side of the ship to crack. Subsequently, a considerable amount of water poured into the deck. By 9:55 a.m. the ferry was fully submerged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 8968</span> 2011 aviation accident

Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 8968 (MZ8968/MNA8968) was a passenger flight which crashed off the coast of the Indonesian province of West Papua on 7 May 2011. The aircraft involved, a Xian MA60, was operating Merpati Nusantara Airlines' scheduled domestic service from Sorong to Kaimana, both in West Papua. It crashed into the sea while on approach to Kaimana in heavy rain condition, about 800 metres (2,600 ft) before the runway. All 25 people on board the aircraft perished. It was the first fatal crash of the Xian MA60 aircraft.

<i>Tampomas II</i> Indonesian passenger ship that caught fire in 1981

KMP Tampomas II was a roll on-roll off car and passenger ferry owned by the Indonesian shipping company Pelni that burned and sank in the Java Sea while sailing from Jakarta to Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi on 27 January 1981. This disaster resulted in the deaths of hundreds of passengers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aviastar Flight 7503</span> 2015 aviation accident

Aviastar Flight 7503 was a regional flight from Masamba to Makassar, Indonesia. On 2 October 2015, the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft serving the route went missing with 10 on board near Palopo minutes after takeoff. There was no distress call from the plane.

Mohamad, Ardyan (2016-03-31). "Filipina tolak TNI ikut bebaskan WNI disandera Abu Sayyaf". merdeka.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Indonesian Police PZL M28 Skytruck crash</span>

On 3 December 2016, a PZL M28 Skytruck of the Indonesian National Police disappeared above the South China sea while approaching Hang Nadim Airport in Riau Islands. The aircraft was conducting a flight from Depati Amir Airport in Pangkal Pinang, the capital of Bangka Belitung province. The aircraft was carrying three pilots and ten passengers with no survivors on the aircraft. A search and rescue team was assembled by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency with assistance from Singapore.

MV Sinar Bangun sank on 18 June 2018 in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia, during its trip from Simanindo Harbour in Samosir Island to Tiga Ras Harbour in Simalungun Regency. The ferry was carrying 188 passengers and crew. After the sinking, authorities immediately deployed search and rescue personnel to the area. Twenty-one survivors were rescued, three bodies were found and 164 people were listed as missing and presumed dead.

MV <i>Lestari Maju</i> Cargo ship

MV Lestari Maju was a modified 749 tonnes cargo ship that operated domestic passenger service from Bulukumba Regency to Selayar Islands in South Sulawesi. At noon on 3 July 2018, the ship was deliberately grounded off the Selayar Islands. The ferry had reportedly suffered a leak on the port side of the lower deck. As the ferry began to sink, the captain decided to ground the ferry to stop the sinking and ease the rescue effort. The incident killed 35 people; 155 people survived the accident.

Sinking of MV <i>Wahai Star</i> 2007 boating accident in Indonesia

The sinking of MV Wahai Star occurred on the night of 10 July 2007, when a speedboat tugged by the ferry accidentally crashed into its stern, resulting in a major leak. In the following days, rescuers managed to save 43 people, while 16 bodies were recovered in the nearby waters.

Sinking of MV <i>Acita 03</i> The sinking of MV Acita 03 in Sulawesi

The sinking of MV Acita 03 occurred on the night of 18 October 2007 when a ferry carrying 174 passengers and crews accidentally capsized during its docking in Baubau, Southeast Sulawesi. 134 passengers and crews survived the disaster while 30 passengers and 1 crew member lost their lives. 9 people were listed as missing and presumed dead.

MV Lintas Timur was an Indonesian cargo ship which sank off the eastern coast of Sulawesi on 1 June 2019. The sinking of the vessel caused all but one of the ship's eighteen crew to be lost at sea.

<i>Zahro Express</i> disaster 2017 ferry disaster in Indonesia

The Zahro Express disaster occurred on the morning of 1 January 2017 when an Indonesian-flagged wooden passenger vessel caught fire in the waters of Thousands Islands Regency, off the coast of Jakarta. She was travelling from Jakarta's Muara Angke to Tidung Island, a popular tourist destination. The ferry, named MV Zahro Express, was carrying 216 passengers and 5 crew members. Of the 221 passengers and crews, a total of 24 people on board lost their lives.

MV <i>Laut Teduh 2</i>

MV Laut Teduh II was an Indonesian-flagged double-ended RO/RO passenger ferry that served the route from the Port of Merak in Java to the Port of Bakauheni in Sumatra, one of the busiest ferry routes in Indonesia. She was built in 1988 in England and was registered as Laut Teduh II in 2007.

Sinking of the MS <i>Estonia</i> 1994 maritime disaster on Baltic Sea

The MS Estonia sank on Wednesday, 28 September 1994, between about 00:50 and 01:50 (UTC+2) as the ship was crossing the Baltic Sea, en route from Tallinn, Estonia, to Stockholm, Sweden. The sinking was one of the worst maritime disasters of the 20th century. It is one of the deadliest peacetime sinkings of a European ship, after the Titanic in 1912 and the Empress of Ireland in 1914, and the deadliest peacetime shipwreck to have occurred in European waters, with 852 lives stated at the time as officially lost.

Sinking of MV Windu Karsa

MV. Windu Karsa was an Indonesian-flagged double-ended RO/RO ferry that served the route from Luwu, South Sulawesi to Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi. Built in Fujiwara Shipyard in 1980, she has served in Indonesia for more than 20 years.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Final Report" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Committee. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  2. 1 2 Sutrisno, Debbie (20 December 2015). "Empat Korban Kapal Marina Terselamatkan Nelayan". Republika. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "KM Marina Hilang Kontak, Empat Penumpang Ditemukan". Viva.co.id. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "77 Penumpang KM Marina Belum Ditemukan". Detik. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Besok Kepala Basarnas Ikuti Proses Pencarian Korban KM Marina". Tribun News. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "70 Penumpang KM Marina Belum Ditemukan". Tempo. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Polisi Kolaka Utara Cari Korban KM Marina hingga ke Palopo". Tribun News. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "ABK KM Marina Ditemukan Selamat". Tribun News. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  9. ↑ "Tiga Hari di Laut, Nakhoda KM Marina Mengaku Awalnya Bersama Lima Korban Lain". Republika. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  10. ↑ Hidayat, Rafki (22 December 2015). "Satu korban selamat KM Marina ditemukan di keramba". BBC Indonesia. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  11. ↑ "Pencarian Korban KM Marina Dihentikan Karena Gelombang Besar". Republika. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  12. ↑ "21 Penumpang Marina Dua Ditemukan Mengambang di Teluk Bone". Sindo News. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  13. ↑ "Tiga Jenazah Korban KM Marina Dibawa ke RS Bhayangkara Makassar". Tribun News. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  14. ↑ "Pencarian Korban KM Marina Diperpanjang Tiga Hari". Tribun News. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  15. ↑ "12 Korban KM Marina Belum Ditemukan, Operasi SAR Dihentikan". Berita Satu. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  16. ↑ "Pencarian Korban KM Marina Baru Resmi Dihentikan". Tribun News. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  17. ↑ "Istri Ajudan Bupati dan Dua Anaknya Jadi Korban Kapal Tenggelam, Keluarga Pasrah". Kompas. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  18. ↑ "Staf Ahli Bupati Konawe Berakhir Bersama KM Marina Baru". JPNN. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  19. ↑ "Tragedi KMP Marina Baru, BMKG Akui Sudah Laporkan Perkiraan Gelombang Laut". Jawa Pos. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  20. ↑ "KM Marina Tenggelam, BMKG Klaim Sudah Berikan Informasi Kondisi Cuaca dan Gelombang Laut". Berita Satu. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  21. ↑ "Penyeberangan Kapal Laut Bajoe – Kolaka Dievaluasi". Berita Sulsel. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  22. ↑ "Ini Komentar Jasa Raharja Terkait Karamnya Kapal Marina Baru di Teluk Bone". JPNN. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.