Patrol Boat Sinks in Indonesia’s North Kalimantan, 3 Policemen Missing

NUNUKAN, KOMPAS.com – North Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Indrajit took over the search operation for three missing policemen after Indonesia’s Kapodang-5001 patrol boat sank on August 8 off Tibi Island on Borneo.

“Today, the North Kalimantan police chief, his deputy and the security maintenance agency’s directorate of water police corps [Dirpolair Baharkam Polri] will consolidate the search,” said the spokesperson for the North Kalimantan Police, Senior Commissioner Berliando, on August 10.

The search for the three missing policemen — Police Brigadier (Brigpol) Ivan Bilasman, First-Class Patrolman (Bharatu) Yoseph Arianto, and First-Class Patrolman (Bharatu) Donni Budi Santoso — is still under way.

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Meanwhile, the other three members of the patrol team — Police Chief Brigadier (Bripka) Ujang Walia, Police Brigadier Amrulloh, and Patrolman (Bharada) Rivaldy U'jae — are safe.

Berliando said the incident occurred when the six policemen from the national police headquarters were conducting a routine patrol and monitoring specific targets between Juwata Tarakan waters and Tibi Island in the Tana Tidung Regency.

The use of a gray patrol boat powered by 40 horsepower outboard engine was for a reconnaissance mission.

“It’s impossible for them to use a large patrol vessel as it's easier to spot,” he said.

Then the weather deteriorated at around 11pm local time on Saturday and caused them to lose contact from midnight to 6am.

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At that time, big waves crashed over the patrol boat.

“They were thrown overboard. Three people were found safe at 8am on Sunday, while the search for the other three [who have gone missing] was ongoing,” he said.

“They got split up. Those who survived did not know the condition of their colleagues,” he added.

He explained that the incident was discovered when Police Chief Brigadier (Bripka) Made Bilantara of the directorate of water police corps checked the position of the patrol team on Sunday at around 6:35am local time.

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