Saturday, 31 October 2026
BINTAN | INDATANEWS.COM - A sea accident involving the fishing vessel KM Kawal Jaya 9 in the northern waters of Berakit, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands Province, on Friday, 30 October 2026, left one crew member missing. A further 13 crew members survived the collision, which occurred at 4.23 am local time (WIB).
A joint search and rescue (SAR) team has intensified its search for Dinar, 51, from Teluk Bakau in the Gunung Kijang District. He is believed to have jumped into the sea during the accident. At the time the press release from the Tanjungpinang SAR Office was issued, rescuers were continuing their efforts to locate him.Ardila Aziz, spokesperson for the Tanjungpinang Basarnas branch, said Dinar was the only crew member still missing. The KM Kawal Jaya 9 and the 13 rescued crew members had since been evacuated and reached Kawal Harbour at 9.03 am.
The incident prompted a swift response from the Tanjungpinang SAR Office. Rescue personnel and supporting equipment were deployed to search for the missing crew member in the waters surrounding the accident site.This coordination is an important part of the search operation. The SAR team needs to gather information from the crew about the conditions before and during the collision. This includes the last known position of the missing crew member when he jumped into the sea.
Information provided by the survivors could help rescuers determine the search direction and identify the area to be covered. This would allow the operation to focus on locations where the likelihood of finding the missing crew member is greater.Following the initial coordination, the Tanjungpinang SAR Office's Rescue Team prepared further steps to expand the search area. The measures are being carried out against the need to make the search for the missing crew member as efficient as possible.
The involvement of various units strengthens the search operation in the waters off Bintan. Each unit supports the operation according to its capabilities and available resources. This includes providing personnel and using equipment for search and rescue activities.
Local fishermen are also taking part in the operation. Their knowledge of the waters around Berakit could help rescuers assess the search area more accurately.Co-operation between SAR personnel, maritime security authorities and the local community is an important part of the response to maritime accidents. The joint operation aims to expand the search area while improving the efficiency of the search efforts.
The SAR team is concentrating its search on the area surrounding the accident site, which is approximately 46 nautical miles (NM) from the staging post. To reach the area, rescuers are deploying the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 04 Tanjung Uban.
In addition to the rescue boat, the personnel are using rescue vehicles and navigation, medical and evacuation equipment. These resources support the search operation while ensuring that rescuers are prepared to provide assistance should the missing crew member be found.Searching the immediate vicinity of the accident site remains the main focus of the operation. The SAR team is continuing its efforts and mobilising all units that joined the search on the first day.
The accident, which left one crew member missing, once again highlights the importance of a rapid response to emergencies at sea. The 13 rescued crew members have provided rescuers with important initial information in the search for Dinar.At the time the press release was issued, the joint SAR team was continuing its search operation. Rescuers are intensifying their efforts in the northern waters of Berakit, off Bintan, in an attempt to locate the missing crew member. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
