Indonesian authorities have located the cargo ship Mutia Ladjoni 7, which was reported missing last week, with the crew safely aboard.
Maritime Executive reported that the cargo ship, which had been missing for four days, was found on Monday night and was being moved to the port of Dobo with 13 crew members aboard. The captain and an engineer were ill and were evacuated from the vessel to hospital.
The 3 861-dwt vessel was found drifting after it lost all power.
Mutia Ladjoni, sailed from the port of Timika in Indonesia in Western New Guinea on Wednesday, November 9. The vessel was en route to the port of Bontang on the island of Borneo. However, cargo ship owner PT Pelayaran Surya Bintang Timur reported that the firm had lost all radio contact with the vessel on Friday. By Saturday, they were still unable to make contact with the vessel.
The team leading the Indonesian Search and Rescue (SAR) operation said it believed that Mutia Ladjoni 7 had changed direction to stop for fuel in Dobo before it went silent. The search operation involved vessels from several SAR districts and the Indonesian Navy. Police and fishing vessels in the region were also asked to help.
The Basarnas Ambon district, which was leading the search, reported that the ship had been located on Monday evening. It was blacked out and had possibly run out of fuel. The ship had been drifting for several days.
“Thirteen crew members were evacuated to Dobo and two people immediately rushed to the hospital to receive medical treatment," the head of Basarnas Ambon said in a statement on Tuesday. The captain and an engineer had become sick while the vessel was adrift.
Basarnas said the team would work with the vessel’s owner to facilitate the return of the crew.
