BANJARMASIN, Indonesia — September 13, 2026 — A search and rescue operation has been launched in the Java Sea after the passenger vessel Virgo Transport 8 lost communication while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, with 243 people reported to be on board.
The vessel was reported missing from communication at approximately 2:00 a.m. local time after encountering bad weather during its voyage. The Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office received the emergency report at 4:10 a.m. from Yoel Rihi, General Manager of PT Virgo, the company associated with the vessel.
Virgo Transport 8 departed from Surabaya on Saturday, September 12, at 10:13 GMT. Its last known position was in the Java Sea, approximately 80 nautical miles from the SAR Basirih Pier in Banjarmasin. Authorities have yet to establish the vessel’s current position.
The Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office immediately activated its response. At around 4:30 a.m., six rescue personnel were dispatched by Rescue Car D-Max to the SAR Basirih Pier. From there, the team is scheduled to proceed toward the vessel’s last known position aboard KN SAR Laksmana 241, with an estimated sailing time of approximately five hours.
The operation is being conducted in coordination with the Banjarmasin Harbormaster and Port Authority Office, Banjarmasin Naval Base, the South Kalimantan Police Water and Air Directorate, the Banjarmasin Navigation District, PT Pelindo Banjarmasin, and the Virgo shipping agency in Banjarmasin.
Search teams have deployed KN SAR Laksmana 241 along with water-rescue equipment, two sets of diving gear, communications equipment, Starlink connectivity and other operational support equipment. Weather conditions around the Banjarmasin SAR office were reported to be clear, while conditions in the search area will continue to be closely monitored.
SAR Mission Coordinator I Putu Sudayana said the immediate priority was to locate the vessel and ensure the safety of everyone on board. Given the number of passengers and crew involved, authorities are strengthening coordination among all available agencies.
“We have immediately deployed personnel and KN SAR Laksmana 241 toward the vessel’s estimated last known position. Considering the significant number of passengers and crew on board, we are maximizing coordination with all relevant agencies to accelerate the search and ensure their safety,” Sudayana said.
The Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office has urged families of those on board and the public to remain calm and rely on verified information from authorities. The joint SAR team will continue monitoring developments and conducting search efforts based on the latest information and conditions at sea.(*/BAS)
