inp.polri.go.id - Labuan Bajo. A joint search and rescue (SAR) team has deployed underwater sonar and drones to search for a victim of the sinking of the KM Feronia in the waters of Komodo National Park, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). However, after 10 days of searching, neither the victim nor the main wreckage of the ship has been found.
The Director of the Water and Air Unit of the NTT Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Irwan Deffi Nasution, stated that various specialized equipment has been used to assist the search process. However, dynamic underwater currents are a major obstacle in the field.
"As of the tenth day of the search, the drowned victim, the dive master, has not been found, even though a number of sophisticated equipment has been deployed," Irwan said in Kupang, Saturday (10/25/2026).
During the operation, the police deployed a KPC 2007 fast-track hunting boat, RIB 02, single-beam sonar, and an underwater drone. This equipment was used to assist the joint SAR team in combing the area suspected to contain the victim and the wreckage.
Based on an evaluation of underwater drone footage and sonar scans, officials have not found any signs of the victims or the main wreckage of the KM Feronia.
The search involved 76 joint personnel from the Indonesian National Military (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (INP), Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), the Sea and Coast Guard (KPLP), the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Pelindo (Indonesian Pelindo), and the local community.
The search was conducted in several areas of Komodo National Park, including Tatawa Besar, Batu Bolong, Mawan, Batu Tiga, and Sebayur. The search area was determined taking into account the conditions and currents around the initial location of the shipwreck.
To expand the search area, the team also used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) belonging to PT Farmindo and side scan sonar from the Indonesian Navy's Koarmada II Surabaya.
The missing victim, identified as VBJ (23), is a dive master residing at the Batu Cermin Airport Complex in Labuan Bajo. His whereabouts have been the focus of the joint search team since the SAR operation began.
After evaluating the results of the 10-day search, Basarnas Maumere officially suspended search and rescue (SAR) operations. As of the close of operations, the whereabouts of the victims and the main wreckage of the KM Feronia remain unknown.
Although SAR operations have been suspended, the Regional Police's Water and Air Unit Directorate continues to conduct routine patrols in the waters of Komodo National Park. Officers have also urged tourist and fishing vessels to increase vigilance and immediately report any clues related to the victims or the vessel.
"We urge tourist and fishing vessels operating in the waters of Komodo National Park to immediately report to officers if they find any signs of the KM Feronia," said Irwan.
Members of the public with information regarding the whereabouts of the victims or the vessel can report it to the police.
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