The ferry on the Java-Bali line faced troubles again. The vessel was heading to the port of Gilimanuk, but strong currents, a storm, and heavy rain thwarted its plans.
KMP Cemerlang 55 departed from the Javanese port of Banyuwangi with 53 passengers and cargo: 14 motorcycles, one three-wheeled truck, and eight cars. Around 2:30 PM, the ferry lost control and was carried by waves two nautical miles from the port, where it ran aground. The captain sent an SOS signal to the coastguard.
Rescuers from Gilimanuk came to the rescue: a Basarnas inflatable boat, the Jembrana police patrol boat Tanjung Rening, and the Sea Reader boat from Bali's Satbrimob brigade. All passengers were evacuated and brought back to the Javanese shore in just over an hour. A few hours later, KMP Cemerlang 55 was refloated and securely docked at the Gilimanuk port. There were no casualties or material damage.
Recall that in June, another ferry overturned on this same route during a storm: 19 people died, and another 16 are still missing.
This does not mean that all sea travels are dangerous: in Indonesia, dozens of boats, ferries, and speedboats safely operate daily. However, safety measures are still crucial. Once on board, immediately check where the life jackets are, find the lifeboats and rafts, and locate the emergency exits. You can also review the sea conditions and weather forecasts in advance for a safer journey. Weather conditions, combined with human factors, play a significant role in the majority of shipwrecks.
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