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Residents surprised by unidentified cruise ship sailing Raja Ampat waters during travel restriction
Matius, a local resident of Mansuar Island in Raja Ampat regency, said the ship was seen cruising the waters between Mansuar and Batanta Island at around 11 a.m. local time on Monday.
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A mysterious cruise ship passes through Raja Ampat waters on Monday. (ANTARA/-)
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mysterious ship cruising in the Raja Ampat waters in West Papua has surprised local residents amid a travel restriction in the popular destination over concerns of COVID-19.
Cruise liners have made headlines recently as one of the critical hotspots for the coronavirus’ spread, causing many countries to refuse their request to dock at their ports.
Authorities in Raja Ampat said the cruise ship had not been detected by their radar. Authorities have yet to find out the name of the ship, its origin and destination.
Matius, a local resident of Mansuar Island in Raja Ampat regency, said the ship was seen cruising the waters between Mansuar and Batanta Island at around 11 a.m. local time on Monday.
The sighting raised questions among residents as to where the ship was heading and its activity in the area as all of Raja Ampat, famed for its Coral Triangle, had been closed following the start of social restrictions to stem the spread of the COVID-19.
“We have contacted the relevant authorities about the matter. We were informed that the ship was not activating its Automatic Identification System [AIS],” he said as quoted by Antara news agency on Monday.
Read also: COVID-19: Crew members return to Indonesia as cruise liners halt global operations
Anggiat P. Marpaung, the head of the Raja Ampat Port Management Office, confirmed that no cruise ships had contacted his office for permission to sail in Raja Ampat waters that day.
Meanwhile, Raja Ampat Investment Agency and One-Stop Integrated Services (PTSP) head M. Said Soltief also said his office had not issued a permit to any cruise ship to enter the waters of Raja Ampat due to the pandemic.
“From our discussions with relevant institutions, we can say that the cruise ship was just passing through,” he said. (asp)
