4 healthy RI seamen in Antarctica ready to depart to NZ

Four healthy Indonesian crew members whose South Korean fishing vessel caught fire near Antarctica are scheduled tomorrow to be transported to Lyttleton Port, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Meanwhile, three other Indonesians who are suffering from burns will stay at the US McMurdo Station Antarctic base for the next two to three days, says Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand Antonius Agus Sriyono.

“According to our plan, the four Indonesian crew members will depart to Lyttleton port by the Jung Woo 3 vessel today or tomorrow, while three others will stay for another two or three days for [medical] treatment before flying to Christchurch,” he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday from Wellington.

He said it would take around two weeks for the Jung Woo 3 to arrive at the port.

“The Indonesian Embassy in Wellington is sending an interpreter this afternoon for the three Indonesian crew members who are being treated,” Agus said, adding that he would also soon discuss with Jung Woo representatives the Indonesian seamens’ rights, including their right to insurance.

The four healthy Indonesian crew members are Victor Sopacua, 38, Hartoyo, 27, Ferilando Alfonso, 30 and Maryanto, 23, according to Agus.

Jant Je Sopacua, 28, is reportedly suffering from major burns, while Sutisno, 32, and Domssi Sitaniapessy, 24, are both suffering from minor burns after fire quickly swept through the 51-meter Jung Woo 2, which was carrying 40 crew members in total.

Three Vietnamese nationals reportedly died in the fire.