Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) said the ship wreckage of Virgo Transport 8 lies about 30 meters underwater after sinking in the Java Sea, with authorities considering towing it to shallower waters.
Basarnas Chief Mohammad Syafii said the vessel’s relatively shallow position was among factors being considered, including advice from the Indonesian Navy to leave it undisturbed if it remains stable on the seabed.
“In an accident response like this, our colleagues in the Indonesian Navy believe it would actually be better to leave the vessel on the seabed if it remains stable,” Syafii said in a press briefing held at the city of Banjarmasin’s Trisakti Port on Monday evening (Sept 14).
Basarnas is considering towing the vessel as part of its next steps, he said, while search operations for victims on the water’s surface remain the priority.
“We certainly continue to hope the victims will be found soon and in safe condition,” Syafii said.
He said the search operation remained divided into six sectors on the second day, but the boundaries could shift based on the results of subsequent search mapping.
“We may shift the sectors tomorrow, based on the SAR map produced by the Basarnas Command Center,” Syafii said.
At least six people died and 140 remain missing after the Virgo Transport 8 ferry carrying 243 people lost contact in the Java Sea on Sunday, Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency, Basarnas, reported.
