Fisherman’s Boat Stranded at Sea, PHE ONWJ Conducts Rescue
Karawang, October 10, 2024 – The Pertamina Hulu Energi Offshore North West Java (PHE ONWJ) crew in the Java Region was involved in a mission to rescue ten fishermen stranded about 11 kilometers off the north coast of Java on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
A few hours earlier, around midday, ten fishermen from Ciparage Village, Karawang, set sail on a fishing boat with “Badak Liar” written on its hull. Their netting equipment was already full of fish when the engine boat failed in the middle of the Java Sea.
A gearbox malfunction caused the engine to stop. The crew attempted various methods to restart the engine but were unsuccessful. The lack of proper mechanical tools and the large waves made it even more difficult. With no other option, the fishermen aboard the Badak Liar surrendered to the current, drifting for three hours.
By late afternoon, waves on the Java Sea pushed the Badak Liar toward the KLXA well in the KLA field operated by PHE ONWJ. The crew waved and shouted for help towards the offshore platform. The on-duty PHE ONWJ team immediately acted, and the PHE ONWJ USV Fulmar vessel approached the drifting Badak Liar.
The rough seas and fading daylight made the rescue operation challenging. The continuous waves rocked the Badak Liar, making it difficult for the PHE ONWJ crew to direct the boat to a safe point.
Using ropes, the USV Fulmar pulled the Badak Liar to the PHE ONWJ buoy (a floating structure used for anchoring vessels) 5 kilometers from the initial location. The intense rescue process took an hour and a half. Thanks to the quick response of the PHE ONWJ crew, all the fishermen were safely evacuated by 6:30 PM WIB with no injuries.
“The evacuation process was a test of endurance and courage for the PHE ONWJ crew. Challenges such as high waves, strong winds, and low visibility could have made the rescue mission more complicated and dangerous,” said the Superintendent of KLA Flowstations, Achmad Mohan Sifai.
In emergencies, every second counts. The success of the evacuation relied not only on the team's readiness but also on their ability to handle unexpected conditions and overcome various obstacles on the ground.
The General Manager of PHE ONWJ, Muzwir Wiratama, stated that the rescue of the Badak Liar fishermen exemplifies the company's commitment to ensuring the safety of oil and gas operations and being ready to assist the community, especially fishermen near ONWJ’s operational area.
“As a company operating in the waters, we are responsible for ensuring mutual safety. We hope such unfortunate incidents will not happen again and that the fishermen can return to the sea safely,” Wira said.
Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, appreciated the swift action of the Pertamina PHE ONWJ officers in rescuing the fishermen who encountered difficulties at sea.
"Pertamina consistently encourages high social awareness to be at the forefront in helping communities in need. It reflects the role of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) serving the nation," Fadjar said.