Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara – The trial concerning the sinking of the KM Puteri Sakinah vessel resumed at the Labuan Bajo District Court on Tuesday (March 31, 2026), with the Public Prosecutor presenting incriminating evidence.
The case, registered under number 8/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Lbj, was heard by a panel of judges chaired by Deputy Chief Judge Putu Dima Indra, alongside panel members I Made Wirangga Kusuma and Intan Hendrawati.
Broadcast live via the Labuan Bajo District Court’s YouTube channel, the hearing continued at 3:00 PM local time after a one-hour recess, with the examination of witnesses from the Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
In the previous hearing, the court examined Andrea Ortuno Ripoll, the wife of victim Fernando Martin Carreras, a coach of Valencia CF in Spain.
The first witness examined was Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of KSOP Labuan Bajo. He testified that on December 26, 2026, the vessel originally booked by the victims, Liberty, was not granted a sailing permit. As a result, the trip was transferred to KM Sakinah, which had obtained the necessary permit.
He further explained that a vessel’s seaworthiness is determined through ship and crew certification, payment of non-tax state revenue (PNBP), and overall vessel condition. The issuance of a sailing approval letter is based on data provided by the captain, and KSOP holds discretionary authority to inspect a vessel if it is deemed unfit, although such inspections are not mandatory.
A notable fact revealed in court was that KM Puteri Sakinah sailed through an area categorized as hazardous. Regulations prohibit vessels from sailing at night in such areas due to the risk of high waves and strong currents.
According to the investigation findings, several factors may have contributed to the sinking, including:
1. Weather anomalies known locally as “kalang-kalang,” characterized by intermittent high waves followed by calm conditions. During the incident, only two high waves were observed by the crew.
2. The presence of designated dangerous zones where sailing is restricted, including the Padar Strait, which has been officially classified as a hazardous area for the past two years.
The second witness, Maria Patrycia Christin Seran from BMKG, stated that wave heights at the time ranged between 1–1.5 meters (moderate category), with current speeds of 80–120 cm/s. An early warning for tidal flooding had also been issued, indicating astronomical phenomena such as a new moon or full moon, which can cause extreme tidal conditions. Radar analysis up to 9:30 PM local time showed partly cloudy weather conditions around the incident location.
Baca Juga: Valencia CF Coach’s Wife Testifies in KM Putri Sakinah Ship Sinking Trial
It was also revealed during the hearing that no weather monitoring instruments are installed in the Padar Strait. As a result, BMKG is unable to detect sudden weather anomalies or provide real-time information to ship crews in that area.
The hearing adjourned at 4:30 PM local time and was recessed for 30 minutes before continuing with the examination of four additional witnesses. (zm/wi)
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