Banyuwangi (ANTARA) - The National Transportation Safety Commission (KNKT) deployed a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) on Friday to detect and visualize the wreck of KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya on the seabed of the Bali Strait.
Deputy for Search and Rescue Operations and Preparedness at Basarnas Ribut Eko Suyanto stated that on the 10th day of the search for KMP Tunu, the KNKT will operate the ROV, assisted by the KN Masalembu and the Ministry of Transportation's Navigation District.
"Today, KNKT Chairman Soejanto Tjahjono will operate the ROV to detect objects at reference point 8, 3.6 kilometers from the location where the ship sank," he stated at a press conference at Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, East Java, on Friday.
Eko explained that KNKT's ROV is expected to optimize detection and visualization of the KMP Tunu wreck, providing a clearer image of the underwater object at a depth of approximately 50 meters in the Bali Strait.
"Today's underwater SAR operation is focused around the sinking location of the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya, while other marine elements are focusing their search for victims southward to Tanjung Sembulungan," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Coordinator of the Marine Search and Rescue Unit (SRU), Lieutenant Colonel Muhamad Puji Santoso, stated that on the 10th day of SAR operations, naval vessel KRI Pulau Fanildo is also operating an ROV at the same point, at reference point 8, while also using an underwater camera.
"A team at KAL Sembulungan is also operating a multibeam echosounder (MBS) at the same point. After the team from KRI Pulau Fanildo, KAL Sembulungan is operating the MBS to provide a clearer, higher-resolution image," he remarked.
Meanwhile, other marine SRUs are conducting surface SAR operations. The KRI Tongkol, KN SAR Arjuna, KN SAR Permadi, and other smaller elements are continuing the search southward.
Data from the Joint Search and Rescue Operations Post and SAR Potential at Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, stated that as of Tuesday evening, (July 8), there were 30 survivors, 15 confirmed fatalities—one of whom was still being identified—and 20 still missing and under search.
The Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry, carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles, sank on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
