Head of Muaro Padang harbormaster Zulmardi in Padang on Sunday affirmed the departure of Motor Ship (KM) Pono Indah, sailing from the port on Friday with a crew of eight.
"The boat sailed from this port with a crew of eight and a skipper, with cement in its hold for Sioban Island, Mentawai Islands," Zulmardi said.
He added that the last time the boat contacted at 5 am about 10 miles from its destination island.
Following the last contact until Sunday night its position was unknown, and apparently hit by wild and high waves in the waters of Mentawai Ialands.
In accordance with a report to Muara Padang portmaster from a SAR team in Siobat Island, the boat was lost after being hit by a strong storm, big and high waves following the last contact on the early hours of Saturday.
Consequently, the engine of the boat with a cargo of 20 tons of cement was off totally, and then declared lost.
Another boat had departed to the last location of the ill-fated cement boat KM Pono Indah, and later on Monday afternoon a SAR team from Padang may start moving to the location.
The ship that had conducted a search to night is KM Sumbar Rusa II, which departed at about 7 pm.
"Today from this port, a boat had already made a search, and if they are lucky, it would be found safely," Zulmardi said.
Zulmardi added that according to the certificate of sailing approval (SPB), the lost boat did not violate loading capacity.
Last week, the weather in West Sumatra was very dangerous and the Ketaping Meteorology and Geophysics (BMKG), West Sumatra, had announced that the height of the waves in the West Sumatra waters reached three meters, dangerous for sailing not only for small boats, but for big ones as well. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
