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Bakamla foils underwater fiber-optic cable theft in Bintan
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The Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) thwarts a fiber-optic undersea cable theft in Bintan, Riau Islands, on May 26, which allegedly was committed by Indonesian-flagged ship Tapan Ocean. (Courtesy of Bakamla Riau/-)
M
aritime Security Board (Bakamla) patrol vessel KN Belut Laut 4806 stopped on Saturday KM Tapan Ocean motorboat, which allegedly had stolen a fiber-optic undersea cable in Tanjung Berakit waters in Bintan, Riau Islands.
Bakamla spokesman Major Mardiono said his team had escorted the boat to Bakamla's headquarters in Batam.
“We’re counting the total number of fiber-optic cables they had stolen from the sea,” he told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
“We’re also trying to find the company that owned the fiber-optic cables, as the incident might have disrupted their operations,” he added.
The Indonesian-flagged boat, which was manned by four crew members, reportedly departed from Tanjung Ruh to Tanjung Uban in Bintan.
Along with the cable, the officers also seized a fiber-optic cable cutter, a compressor, a hose and a safety certificate.
Mardiono added the boat’s documents – the sailing approval letter, crew list, data manifest and other documents – had expired.
“While we’re investigating the fiber-optic cable theft, they’re being charged under the law on sailing,” Mardiono added. (vla)
