Basarnas Prepares Virgo Transport 8 Salvage Operation with Hong Kong, US Experts

Basarnas Prepares Virgo Transport 8 Salvage Operation

Tempatdonasi.com – Basarnas prepares Virgo Transport 8 salvage efforts in the Java Sea after the KM Virgo Transport 8 was found capsized near Masalembo. Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency is bringing together specialists from Hong Kong, the United States, and Indonesia to assess the vessel and determine the safest way to continue searching for missing passengers.

The ferry left Surabaya, East Java, for Banjarmasin on September 12, 2026, carrying 243 people. It encountered severe weather and lost contact before rescuers located it upside down at about 1 a.m. WIB on September 13.

As of 10 p.m. WITA on Wednesday, September 16, authorities had located 114 people: 108 survivors and six fatalities. A total of 129 people listed on the manifest remained missing.

International Team to Inspect the Wreck

Basarnas chief Mohammad Syafii said the technical team will first examine the vessel’s position and structural condition. That inspection will guide the recovery strategy, including the equipment, safety measures, and sequence of operations required at sea.

“Most of the expert team members are coming from Jakarta. Some personnel are already on-site, while the rest of the team is scheduled to arrive tomorrow around 10:00 AM,” Syafii said.

Personnel at the scene will be joined by the incoming specialists for an aerial observation of the wreck. The group is then expected to return to Banjarmasin for a coordination meeting to review the ship’s location and condition in greater detail.

The Basarnas Virgo Transport 8 salvage assessment will also determine whether extra machinery, lifting systems, or safety equipment must be deployed. Resources could be sent from Surabaya, Kalimantan, or other locations based on the team’s findings.

Salvage Considered Amid Rough Conditions

The operation is being prepared as an alternative if dangerous sea conditions continue to prevent divers from carrying out an effective underwater search. Strong currents, limited access points, and an unstable hull can make work around a capsized vessel highly hazardous.

One option being evaluated is the use of inflatable lifting bags to rotate the vessel into a more accessible position. If the ship can be safely righted, rescue workers may be able to inspect interior areas that are currently difficult to reach and evacuate victims if they are found inside.

Before any lifting or repositioning begins, specialists must evaluate risks such as hull damage, shifting currents, trapped air pockets, and further movement of the wreck. The condition of the vessel will ultimately decide whether the proposed method is feasible.

“Based on the expertise and experience of the specialist team, the salvage process is expected to take around 24 hours provided all stages proceed smoothly; however, the duration could extend if the team encounters difficulties or unforeseen conditions,” Syafii said.

The estimated 24-hour period applies only if the work proceeds without major obstacles. Weather, vessel stability, sea conditions, and equipment availability could extend the timeline for the Virgo Transport 8 salvage operation.

Search Effort Continues for Missing Passengers

Basarnas prepares Virgo Transport 8 salvage work to expand options for locating the 129 people still unaccounted for. Surface searches, aerial monitoring, and efforts around the wreck remain central to the response as authorities balance urgency with the safety of rescue personnel.

The Surabaya-to-Banjarmasin route connects major population and commercial centers in Indonesia. The incident has highlighted the complexity of maritime emergencies during severe weather, particularly when search teams must coordinate rescue operations with technical vessel recovery.

FAQ: Virgo Transport 8 Rescue Operation

What is Basarnas doing now? Basarnas is coordinating Indonesian and international technical specialists to inspect the capsized ferry and decide whether a salvage operation can safely support the search.

How many people remain missing? As of September 16, 129 people on the vessel’s manifest had not been located.

Why can’t divers immediately search the vessel? Rough seas, currents, limited entry points, and the instability of an overturned ship can create serious dangers for divers and rescue teams.

Could the vessel be turned upright? Specialists are considering methods including inflatable lifting bags, but any decision will depend on the wreck’s structural condition and sea conditions at the site.