Indonesian police use sonar, drone to seek missing Komodo diver

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22 minutes ago

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) –

East Nusa Tenggara police have deployed sonar and an underwater robotic drone to find a dive master missing since the Feronia ship sank in Komodo National Park, West Manggarai, without success.

“As of the tenth day of the search, the drowned victim, a dive master, has not been found, even though advanced equipment has been deployed,” Water Police Director Irwan Deffi Nasution said here Saturday.

His team deployed a KPC 2007 fast-track hunting boat, RIB 02 and single-beam sonar to assist the joint search and rescue (SAR) team.

“Based on the evaluation and analysis of underwater drone footage and the sonar search, no evidence of the victim has been found. Dynamic underwater currents are one of the biggest challenges,” Irwan added.

The operation involved 76 personnel from the military, police, Basarnas search agency, Sea and Coast Guard Unit, fisheries ministry, port operator Pelindo and local residents.

Irwan said the search focused on waters around the initial sinking site, including Tatawa Besar, Batu Bolong, Mawan, Batu Tiga and Sebayur.

The SAR team also used PT Farmindo’s remotely operated vehicle and side-scan sonar from the Navy’s Koarmada II in Surabaya.

Support came from the KM Hiu Macan 03 vessel, a rigid inflatable boat from the Labuan Bajo Naval Base and warship KRI Pulau Fani-731.

The missing victim, identified as VBJ, 23, lived in the Batu Cermin Airport Complex in Labuan Bajo, Irwan said.

Basarnas Maumere officially called off the operation after evaluations found neither the victim nor the main Feronia wreckage.

Although the SAR operation has ended, Water and Air Police personnel continue routine patrols in Komodo National Park waters through the Labuan Bajo Marine Unit.

Officers urged tourist and fishing vessels to stay vigilant and report any signs of victims or wreckage.

Anyone with information should call the water police or West Manggarai Police’s SPKT center at 101.