Indonesian media reports that a locally-owned fishing vessel has gone missing along with 15 of its crew in the Arafura Sea off the eastern province of South Papua.
Authorities first learned of the disappearance of the squid fishing vessel Setia Makmuk 06 in the early morning hours (local time) of Saturday, July 2, after they received a report of its disappearance from the crew of another fishing vessel that was passing through the same area.
The ill-fated vessel departed the Port of Dobo in Maluku province on June 24. It is believed to have sunk 115 kilometres off Yos Sudarso Island in South Papua.
The crews of some Good Samaritan boats were able to pull 10 survivors out of the water during the subsequent search and rescue (SAR) effort.
Local maritime SAR teams and the crew of the Indonesian Navy tank landing ship KRI Teluk Weda are continuing to comb the area for any sign of Setia Makmuk 06's 15 missing sailors.
