"The potential for high waves in almost all areas of Maluku can pose a risk to shipping safety," Head of the Ambon Maritime Meteorology Station, Ashar, stated in Ambon on Thursday.
Ashar noted that the wind pattern in the northern part of Indonesia dominantly moves from the southeast - southwest, with wind speeds of around five to 20 knots, while in the southern part of Indonesia, the dominant moves from the east - southeast, with wind speeds ranging from five to 25 knots.
The highest wind speeds were observed in the waters of Fakfak-Kaimana, Banda Sea, the waters of the Sermata Islands - the Tanimbar Islands, the waters of Kei-Aru Islands, and the Arafuru Sea.
This condition raises the possibility of increasing high waves of 2.5 to four meters in the Eastern Seram Sea, Banda Sea, the waters of the Sermata-Leti Islands, the waters of Buru Island, Babar Islands, Ambon Island, the waters of the Tanimbar Lease Islands, Kai Islands, southern waters of Seram Island, Aru Islands, and Arafuru Sea.
Waves as high as 1.25 to 2.50 meters are also likely to arise in the Western Seram Sea.
The BMKG appealed to the public to pay attention to the high risks to shipping safety. High risk can occur for fishing boats if the wind speeds cross 15 knots and wave heights of above 1.25 meters, while the barge is 16 knots, with a wave height of 1.5 meters.
In the meantime, ferries face high risk if wind speeds surpass 21 knots and wave heights of above 2.5 meters. Large ships, such as cargo or cruise ships, face a high risk in the event of wind speeds crossing 27 knots and wave heights of above four meters.
The BMKG appealed to operators of passenger ships, cargo ships, and fishing boats to be aware of the threat of high waves.
"People, who live and work in coastal areas that are prone to high waves, must always be vigilant," he emphasized.
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Translator: Penina Fiolana Mayaut, Katrian
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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