PONTIANAK, Kompas – The wave in West Kalimantan waters since last week until Monday (1/26) is still high. Wave height is predicted to reach 2.5 meters. Even, in the following days, the wave will reach 4-meter height.
Primastuti Indah, Forecaster of Pontianak Maritime Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, on Monday said high wave almost occurs in all West Kalimantan waters such as in the islands of Anambas, Natuna, Sambas, Pontianak, and northern Karimata. “High wave occurs since strong wind still occurs for 20 knots,” she said.
The 4-meter wave in the following days is predicted to occur in northern West Kalimantan exactly in the islands of Natuna and Anambas. According to Primastuti, several weeks ago, the wave in West Kalimantan waters used to reach 7 meters.
Gusti, one of passenger vessel captains serving Pontianak-Ketapang Regency route, said either passenger or commodity vessels still can sail. However, when high wave strikes, they have to use river lane even though it takes longer time. “So far, sailing halt has not been issued by Pontianak Harbormaster,” Gusti said.
Hanan, the captain of a commodity vessel heading from Pontianak to Jakarta, said vessels still can sail. According to him, commodity distribution from Java to Pontianak and vice versa is not disrupted. However, if the wave gets higher, perhaps big vessels cannot sail anymore like last week.
Junai, a fisherman from Bakau Besar Village, Sungai Pinyuh District, Mempawah Regency, said the fishermen using big vessels can still sail. However, many fishermen using small vessels do not sail.
Bad weather also still occurs in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The condition forces seven ferry vessels to be berthed in Kupang Bolok Berth and in other berths in NTT.
From Ambon, the search of four victims after KM Bina Usaha sank around Jedang Island, North Aru District, Aru Islands Regency, Maluku, on January 15th, was finally stopped. In Jayapura, Papua, another corpse of the vessel which sank in Kokonao waters, Mimika Regency, Papua, on Monday around 10 a.m. local time was found. (Kompas)
