The Manokwari-based SAR office received a call for help on Wednesday. Soon after that, SAR workers departed for a search and rescue mission aboard a Kumbakarna ship, Head of the Manokwari-based National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) George Leo Mercy said.
"We are doing our best to find the boat and the crew. We hope that they all survive. In our communication with one of the crew members, the boat was headed back to Manokwari," he said.
However, the communication through cellular phones was interrupted by bad signals. Therefore, the SAR workers have not determined the fishing vessel's exact position, he said.
The ill-fated vessel carrying six fishermen, identified as Laode Sanka, Laode Yasman, Laode Munir, Laode Sarpin, Laode Ikbal, and Lamajla, left Sorong waters for Tambrauw on May 9 at around 10.00 pm local time.
"But, as of Wednesday, they have yet to arrive in Tambrauw," he said, adding that the ill-fated boat's last position was reported three miles from Saukorem, heading to Manokwari.
The boat reportedly had engine trouble.
Translator: Toyiban, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
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