TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Ongoing KNKT probe suggests human error in Tunu Pratama Jaya's sinking

During a legislative hearing on Wednesday, the KNKT's acting head of maritime safety said its ongoing investigation had pointed to human error as a possible cause of the ferry's sinking in the Bali Strait on Friday.

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Thu, July 10, 2025 Published on Jul. 9, 2025 Published on 2025-07-09T15:08:00+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
A marine police boat and a dinghy carrying rescue personnel sail the Bali Strait off the island province’s Jembrana regency on July 5, 2025, searching for dozens of people who went missing on July 4 when the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, a vehicle ferry, sank in rough seas en route to Bali. A marine police boat and a dinghy carrying rescue personnel sail the Bali Strait off the island province’s Jembrana regency on July 5, 2025, searching for dozens of people who went missing on July 4 when the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, a vehicle ferry, sank in rough seas en route to Bali. (AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka)

A

preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has found that the likely cause of the sinking of the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was the crew’s failure to close the engine room door before setting out to sea, which allowed seawater to flood the compartment when it encountered rough seas in the Bali Strait.

The Tunu Pratama Jaya, a vehicle and passenger ferry, sank on July 4 in the strait near Jembrana regency, Bali, leaving at least nine dead and 27 people missing, though the actual number of missing victims could be higher due to discrepancies in the passenger manifest.

Anggiat Pandiangan, acting head of the KNKT Maritime Safety Subcommittee, said investigators questioned surviving crew and passengers and discovered that seawater first entered the ferry through an open engine room door located on the lower deck.

“The [hatch] should have remained closed at all times while the ship was sailing. The Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry has a low freeboard, so even waves as low as two to three meters can reach the deck,” Anggiat said on Tuesday during a hearing with the House of Representatives, as quoted by Kompas.com.

Freeboard refers to the distance between the waterline and the main deck of a vessel. It is a critical safety parameter that indicates how much of the hull remains above water, providing a vital buffer against waves and the risk of flooding.

Anggiat explained that the buoyancy of the low-freeboard ferry was also compromised by the cargo it was carrying, which increased its draft, or the vessel’s depth below the waterline.

Morning Brief

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

Delivered straight to your inbox three times weekly, this curated briefing provides a concise overview of the day's most important issues, covering a wide range of topics from politics to culture and society.

By registering, you agree with The Jakarta Post's

Thank You

for signing up our newsletter!

Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.

View More Newsletter

When the Tunu Pratama Jaya sank, it was transporting 22 vehicles, including 14 freight trucks.

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

Ongoing KNKT probe suggests human error in Tunu Pratama Jaya's sinking

Rp 35,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 35,000

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.