The motor vessel, which was controlled by captain Sarman Nainggolan, carried empty drums and gas holders.
"The accident is under investigation by the Rokan Hilir Waters police force," the chief of Public Relation for Riau Police Senior Commissioner Adjunct Guntur Aryo Tejo said here on Wednesday.
The MVs crew comprised Sarman as the captain, Mulyadi as the engineer, and two crew members Baruna Atmaja and Putra Sinaga.
The Doa Ibu IV had departed from Panipahan dock in Rokan Hilir on Tuesday at 05:00 a.m. and was bound for Dumai.
At the inspection at 09:00 a.m., Mulyadi found that water had filled the machine room and he reported that to the captain.
Guntur said all the crew members failed to safeguard the ship and it sank 11 miles from the coast of Bagansiapiapi.
"The captain, two crew members, and the machinist were rescued by the fishermans boat that passed the site of the incident at 10:15 a.m.," Guntur said.
The Waters Police force had assisted in the evacuation and rescued the crew using patrol boat Pol IV-1102 on Tuesday at 14:00 p.m.
"Our efforts helped in rescuing the victims and in collecting the cargos that could be saved," Guntur added.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
