Police investigate Australian-flagged yacht stranded in Rote Ndao

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Officers from the East Rote Police, Rote Ndao Police Department, East Nusa Tenggara, are investigating the discovery of an Australian-flagged yacht stranded on Duile Beach, Oesosole Hamlet, East Rote Sub-district, on Tuesday (June 16).

East Rote Police Chief, Second Inspector A. Ikram Mahben, on Wednesday informed that the vessel was found without crew or passengers, raising several questions regarding its origin and cause of its stranding in Indonesian waters.

"The inspection revealed several documents that point to the vessel's identity, including a purchase offer form and a sales agreement containing the vessel's name, the vessel type, hull number, and the identities of the seller and buyer," Mahben explained.

The vessel, named Balamara, was first discovered by local residents, stranded without any crew or passengers.

This information was then reported to local authorities, where upon arrival at the scene, they found the boat empty.

For the purposes of the investigation, police then conducted an initial inspection of the boat and the items still on board.

According to Mahben, officers also secured several items found on board, including a GPS unit, a television, an electric drill, and several items of clothing.

Rote Ndao Police Chief, Adjunct Commissioner Mardiono, stated that the vessel was secured to prevent it from drifting away and to preserve potential evidence that could help authorities trace the circumstances of its presence in the East Rote waters.

Due to its Australian identity, the investigation will be further coordinated with the NTT Regional Police and related agencies to trace the vessel's status, its last owner, and any possible reports of missing persons or shipping incidents involving the vessel.

"We are still reviewing the documents and items recovered from the vessel. We will coordinate with relevant authorities to verify the vessel’s identity and establish how it ended up abandoned in the waters off East Rote," he remarked.

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Translator: Kornelis Kaha, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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