Antara News·Indonesia·Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 07:40 AM

Surabaya's SAR deploys helicopter, vessel to search for missing ship

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Indra S, Rahmad Nasution

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - Surabaya Search and Rescue Office in East Java deployed a helicopter, HR-3601, and the KN SAR 249 Permadi to search for a roll on roll off (roro) ship, Virgo Transport 8, which lost contact while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin on Sunday.

The Surabaya SAR Office Head Nanang Sigit P.H. said the HR-3601 helicopter departed from the 400 Squadron at Juanda Naval Air Base at 8:22 a.m. local time to support Banjarmasin SAR operations.

"The HR-3601 helicopter has a five-member crew and is carrying two rescuers from the Surabaya SAR Office," Sigit said in Surabaya on Sunday.

He added the helicopter was expected to arrive in Banjarmasin at about 10:31 a.m. local time before coordinating with the SAR Mission Coordinator, Banjarmasin SAR Office Head I Putu Sudayana.

Earlier, Sigit said, the Surabaya SAR Office also dispatched the KN SAR 249 Permadi from the Navigation District port in Tanjung Perak at 8:30 a.m. toward the search area.

"The KN SAR 249 Permadi departed with an 11-member crew and is carrying four rescuers from the Surabaya SAR Office and two personnel from the East Java Police’s Water and Air Police," he said.

Traveling at 14 knots, the KN SAR 249 Permadi was expected to reach the search area at about 9:30 p.m., supporting efforts to find the vessel, which was carrying 243 people.

Sigit explained the Virgo Transport 8 was reported missing at about 1 a.m. local time after encountering severe weather while traveling toward Banjarmasin.

The Banjarmasin SAR Office then dispatched a rescue team to the SAR Basirih Pier at 4:30 a.m. local time to travel to the estimated last position aboard the KN SAR Laksmana 241.

"The team is expected to take about five hours to reach the estimated last position of the Virgo Transport 8," he said.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Sumenep SAR Post coordinated with the Masalembu Ship Reporting and Operations Center to alert vessels sailing near the incident area.

Sigit said the alerts were intended to spread information about the missing Virgo Transport 8, so vessels finding any signs of the ship could immediately notify the joint SAR team.

"The search is still underway, involving joint SAR personnel and support from vessels operating near the incident area," he said.

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