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View all search resultsIndonesia's poor maritime safety in spotlight following Labuan Bajo boat accident
Siswanto Rusdi, director of the National Maritime Institute, said the recurring accidents involving tourist boats point to weak enforcement and poor oversight by maritime authorities.
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Final voyage: Members of a joint search and rescue team carry a body recovered on Dec. 29, 2025, from a sunken boat in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. The team recovered one victim, who was pronounced dead, from the KM Putri Sakinah during a rescue operation in the northern waters off Serai Island. (Antara/West Manggarai Police/Handout/Antara/West Manggarai Police/Handout)
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arine safety oversight at Indonesia’s tourist destinations is under renewed scrutiny following a boat accident in Labuan Bajo last week that killed a Spanish tourist and left three others missing, intensifying calls for a comprehensive improvement of maritime safety standards.
Siswanto Rusdi, director of the National Maritime Institute, said the recurring accidents involving tourist boats point to weak enforcement and poor oversight by maritime authorities.
“Many tourist boats do not meet safety standards, and many crew members are uncertified, relying on local residents without sufficient training. Yet, when accidents occur, no one takes responsibility, which is why these incidents keep happening,” he said on Monday as quoted by Kompas.id.
“All passenger vessel safety standards should place human lives as the primary consideration. For too long, profit has been prioritized over safety, and this mindset must change,” Siswanto added.
Lasarus, chair of the House of Representatives Commission V, which oversees transportation and infrastructure, said lawmakers would conduct a deeper examination of the incident once the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) releases its final accident report.
“However, we must emphasize that strict supervision of vessel seaworthiness is non-negotiable, and operators must closely monitor weather forecasts before sailing,” Lasarus said on Tuesday, as quoted by Detik.com.
Read also: Eight dead in Bengkulu boat accident
