Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) – The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is preparing a salvage operation supported by expert teams from Hong Kong and the United States to expand search options for victims of the Virgo Transport 8 ferry accident in the Java Sea.
Basarnas Head Mohammad Syafii stated on Wednesday, Sept. 16, that foreign and domestic experts will assess the vessel’s condition to determine operational steps and equipment requirements prior to the salvage.
He explained that salvage operations will be conducted to manage the capsized vessel, secure its position, and facilitate interior search and recovery operations.
The operation may involve righting the vessel, searching its interior for victims, evacuating them, and later towing the vessel from the site.
“Most of the expert team members are coming from Jakarta. Some personnel are already on-site, while the rest of the team is scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning,” he said in a press conference.
He noted that the team currently on-site would be joined by expert team from Jakarta to conduct aerial observation and afterward, all personnel will be returning to Banjarmasin for a coordination meeting based on the assessment of the vessel’s condition.
Result of the meeting would help the team to determine the necessary equipment and resources. Equipment could be brought in from Surabaya, Kalimantan, or other regions, depending on operational conditions and needs in the field.
Syafii conveyed that the salvage operation is being prepared as a contingency in case underwater searches remain impossible due to adverse sea weather.
One proposed plan involves righting the vessel using inflatable air bags, allowing the team to search the interior and evacuate victims, he added.
Once the search and rescue process is completed, the vessel will be towed away for investigation purposes, with execution tailored to expert assessments.
“Based on the expertise and experience of the specialist team, the salvage process is expected to take around 24 hours provided all stages proceed smoothly; however, the duration could extend if the team encounters difficulties,” Syafii remarked.
The Virgo Transport 8 ferry was carrying 243 people when it sailed from Surabaya, East Java, bound for Banjarmasin on Sept. 12, 2026.
The vessel encountered bad weather and lost contact before being found capsized in Masalembo waters in the Java Sea at 1:00 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2026.
As of Wednesday, Sept. 16, Basarnas confirmed that 114 victims had been located, comprising 108 survivors and six fatalities.
Of the 243 people listed on the manifest, 129 remain missing.
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Translator: Tumpal Andani, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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