LABUAN BAJO, INDONESIA – The skies over Labuan Bajo waters in late December 2025 were far from friendly. The waves rolled higher than usual, the winds blew erratically, and layers of extreme weather warnings had been issued. Yet, amidst these natural signals, a tourist vessel named KM Putri Sakinah departed from the harbor—only to never return.
The sinking of the ship in the southern Sape Strait has reopened a long-standing and unresolved debate: to what extent are weather warnings, vessel seaworthiness, and the issuance of Sailing Approval Letters (SPB) truly aligned?
Data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded that on December 26, 2025, wave heights in the area ranged from 1.50 to 1.90 meters. While some consider these figures “safe,” for tourist vessels with specific structural characteristics, waves of this height can pose a serious threat.
Beyond wave height, the BMKG El Tari Class II Station in Kupang had released a warning for the period of December 22–28, 2025, regarding a cyclonic circulation south of East Nusa Tenggara, which had the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone seed. This condition was exacerbated by active Rossby and Kelvin equatorial waves—a combination capable of triggering heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds, including in the West Manggarai region.
A similar warning was issued by the Class III Labuan Bajo Port Authority and Harbormaster (KSOP). In its circular, all sailing vessels were urged to closely monitor weather forecasts and early warnings from the BMKG.
Yet, within that window of warning, the Sailing Approval (SPB) for KM Putri Sakinah was issued on the night of December 25, 2025—just one day before the ship was reported sunk.
Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of the Class III Labuan Bajo KSOP, emphasized that the issuance of the sailing permit followed standard procedures. According to him, the vessel was declared seaworthy based on both physical inspections and weather monitoring.
Speaking to Publikata.com, Stephanus explained that the ship’s certification had been checked by a marine inspector team on November 13, 2025, and it was deemed fit for sea. On the day of departure, weather conditions were reportedly within safe limits. In fact, out of 189 ships that sailed that day, 188 others arrived safely.
However, statistics cannot mask one bitter reality: KM Putri Sakinah sank while extreme weather warnings were still active.
This incident raises a crucial question: what specific parameters of “safety” are used when issuing a Sailing Approval? Is a single standard applied to all vessels regardless of size, technical specifications, or their durability against specific sea conditions?
Regarding ownership, the KSOP stated that KM Putri Sakinah is owned by a local resident of Labuan Bajo and possesses the necessary licensing documents. However, the name of the company or the legal entity owning the vessel has not been disclosed to the public.
When Publikata.com requested details of the licensing documents, the KSOP stated that the data is still undergoing examination and cannot yet be released.
Amidst this uncertainty, reports have emerged suggesting the vessel experienced engine failure prior to sinking, rendering it lose power. This information has not been officially confirmed and awaits further clarification from the authorities.
Meanwhile, search operations continue. As of the fourth day, one body has been recovered, while three other victims remain missing.
Editor: Chellz
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