The rescue took place about 19 nautical miles north of Sapudi Island, East Java, after the ferry caught fire over the weekend.
Pertamina Patra Niaga Vice President of Corporate Communication Kitty Andhora said Monday that the Transko Arafura, commanded by Capt. Hans Kurniadi Sofyan, changed course after receiving an emergency alert.
“Working with Basarnas, authorities and nearby vessels, the MT Transko Arafura crew successfully evacuated 17 people,” Kitty said in a statement.
The joint search-and-rescue operation involved six ships and one tugboat working with Basarnas to evacuate passengers and continue searching for others.
Kitty praised the crew’s swift response, saying safety and humanitarian assistance remain priorities for the company’s maritime personnel during offshore emergencies.
“Saving lives is always the top priority. We are grateful the Transko Arafura crew could assist in rescuing victims,” Kitty said, expressing condolences to affected families.
The MT Transko Arafura is an Indonesian-flagged oil-products tanker built in 2016 with a capacity of 3,500-3,650 deadweight tons (DWT).
Owned by PT Pertamina Trans Kontinental and managed by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, the tanker supports domestic energy distribution across Indonesia.
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Translator: Kelik Dewanto, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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