Homecoming Travelers Who Brave the Sea Caught by Marine Patrol in Jakarta Bay

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – A marine patrol team under Indonesia’s Directorate-General for Sea Transportation has intercepted service boats carrying homecoming travelers a few days ahead of the Idul Fitri holidays.

The travelers were warned and told to return by the sea patrol officers in Jakarta Bay on Sunday, May 9. The marine patrol was done as part of the efforts to prevent the potential transmission of the Covid-19 during the Islamic holiday following the government announcement of an internal travel ban.

"Today, we started our marine patrols to control the sea transportation ahead of Idul Fitri celebrations in the Jakarta Bay," said Ahmad, director of the Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP) at the Ministry of Transportation, in a statement on Sunday, May 9.

Also read: Jakarta’s Tanah Abang Market Swamped By Idul Fitri Holiday Shoppers

During the patrol, Ahmad added, the marine patrol officers found people who were trying to return to their hometowns using service boats from Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta. The service ship serves a commercial vessel’s needs such as anchor handling services before docking at the port.

“We found three service boats carrying passengers who were still desperate to return to their hometowns and we managed to stop them,” Ahmad said, adding that they were asked to return following an explanation.

Also read: Indonesia to Apply No Exceptions in Eid al-Fitr Holiday Travel Ban

He said the officers received information that some service boats from the coast of Jakarta Bay were used to transport the homecoming travelers to Cirebon and its surroundings in West Java province. Based on the information, the relevant agencies then tightened their surveillance.

"What is even more dangerous is that the homecoming travelers wear no life jackets," he said.

“We just began the joint marine patrol activity. Its continuation would be based on targets and intelligence results. Later, we could also exchange information between the relevant agencies in the Tanjung Priok port," he continued.

(Writer: Muhammad Choirul Anwar | Editor: Muhammad Choirul Anwar)

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/05/09/142521626/patroli-kemenhub-cegat-3-kapal-service-boat-yang-nekat-angkut-pemudik?page=2.