TNI Takes Charge of the Condition of Families of 53 Crew Members

KOMPAS/ANGGER PUTRANTO

Various evacuation equipment for the KRI Nanggala 402 were removed from the Garuda 31 Squadron Hercules aircraft at Banyuwangi Airport, Friday (23/4/2021). The evacuation equipment that was brought included, Air Buble, Electric Compressor, Portable Compressor, Air Hose, Tros Strap, Strap and three technicians.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — In its search for the missing KRI Nanggala-402 submarine, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has also taken charge of the psychological care of the families of the 53 submarine crew members. The search continues to be intensified, with aid ships from other countries arriving.

On Friday (23/4/2021), 21 warships, 4 ships of the National Police, and 4 ships of the National Search and Rescue Agency combed nine locations in an area of 18.5 square kilometers, about 40 kilometers north of Celukan Bawang Port, Bali. This point was thought to be the location of the KRI Nanggala-402 based on the finding of an oil spill and a strong magnetic force. However, as of Friday evening, the whereabouts of KRI Nanggala, which disappeared on Wednesday (21/4), have not been detected.

TNI Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, contacted on Friday afternoon, said that aid ships from several countries, such as Australia and Singapore, had arrived. "Hopefully their assistance will further accelerate the search for the ship\'s point so we can evacuate the ship and all its crew. We are racing against the oxygen limit on the ship," said Hadi.

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Previously, the Indonesian Navy disclosed that, during a blackout, the oxygen supply in the submarine, which disappeared on Wednesday morning in northern Bali waters, was sufficient for the crew\'s needs for 76 hours or until Saturday.

We ask the whole community, let\'s pray that our children (KRI Nanggala crew) can be found quickly.

Hadi also emphasized that the TNI was fully responsible for the families of the 53 crew members of KRI Nanggala. The Indonesian Navy will provide assistance to them. In addition to continuing to search for the submarine in various ways, the TNI is also encouraging the families of crew members to keep hope alive, to pray and remain optimistic.

Previously, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said TNI soldiers were aware of the challenges and dangers they faced every day in maintaining the country\'s sovereignty. "We ask the whole community, let\'s pray that our children (KRI Nanggala crew) can be found quickly," he said.

KOMPAS/ANGGER PUTRANTO

KRI Karel Satsuit Tubun-356 is leaning at Tanjung Wangi Harbor, Banyuwangi, Thursday (22/4/2021). A number of KRI were deployed to evacuate the KRI Nanggala 402 which was missing since Wednesday (21/4/2021).

Relying on sonar

The head of the TNI Information Center, Maj. Gen. Achmad Riad, said in Badung, Bali, that the submarine that lost contact was believed to not be moving and not making any sounds. The final search could only rely on equipment with sonar capability that could capture the location of the ship, which was made in Germany in 1979.

A military observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, Khairul Fahmi, said the search using sonar in nine locations needs to be carried out simultaneously. This can be done because the available sonar devices are not only on one ship.

Defense and military observer Connie Rahakundini Bakrie added that the depth of the ship\'s location will determine the success of the evacuation of the crew. For evacuation, the aid ships must dive down and attach to the body of the sub. One by one, the submarine crew are evacuated to the surface. "The deeper the location, the greater the risk," said Connie.

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In Surabaya, the former head of the KRI Nanggala Engine Room, Rear Adm. Frans Wuwung, said that if the fuel that the search team found was really from Nanggala, there was a possibility that the ship experienced a disturbance, then continued diving.

According to him, the operational age of the primary weaponry system (alutsista) cannot be simply attributed to the cause of the incident. Submarines, including the KRI Nanggala, prior to operation, undergo a thorough inspection and maintenance.

The deeper the location, the greater the risk.

"There is an integrated maintenance system according to the technical handbook, which is mandatory, once again mandatory, to be implemented. If there is even a slight defect, it cannot be tolerated,” he said.

In Banyuwangi the coordinator of Banyuwangi SAR Post, Wahyu Setia Budi, said remotely operated vehicles or search robots would be sent from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, to Banyuwangi Airport using TNI\'s Hercules aircraft. It is hoped that the use of this tool can help find KRI Nanggala. (HAR/SYA/GER/COK/BRO)

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.