Survivor recounts days at sea

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, Jakarta

Syamsuddin has to live with regret. The survivor of a sinking fishing boat in the waters of Pangkajene Island regency, South Sulawesi, failed to save two sisters who were swept from his arms into the sea.

The 31-year-old crew member of the vessel, which capsized in rough waters Wednesday night with more than 30 people aboard including six crew members, failed to rescue Ira, 30, and her sister Jasirah, 14.

When the boat capsized, he managed to reach the two victims and another girl, 13-year-old Heny.

"I saw Ira, Jasirah and Heny. I took off my shirt and trousers and threw them toward the three to pull them closer to me.

"I told them to hang on to my neck ... but suddenly, several big waves came. Ira and Jasirah slipped away, I didn't see them again... but I saw Heny," Syamsuddin said.

He searched for the two but could not find them in the dark.

In the water, he later met another crew member, Daeng Mattu Beta, and four other passengers.

They spotted bamboo debris from the boat and in a desperate moment, gathered and turned it into a simple raft, measuring only three square meters.

Without food and sleep, and drinking only seawater, they drifted on the currents. One of the group, Hamid, died and fell into the sea.

Syamsuddin said he never stopped praying, hoping for God's help.

"God listened to my prayers. On Friday morning we spotted a passing ship. Our spirits lifted, although we were physically weak and had almost lost hope.

"We called for help, and waved ... the ship saw us and picked us up. Thank God we survived."

Heny said she never let go of Syamsuddin, even when the raft was repeatedly thrashed by waves.

The girl is one of six survivors who were picked up Friday by the ship KM Ciremai, which was on its way to Makassar.

On Saturday, Heny and three other survivors were treated at Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar. They were still weak and complained of pain in their chests but were on the road to recovery.

Two other survivors, including Syamsuddin, have returned home.

As of Saturday, a joint search team comprising the police, the Navy and residents were continuing a search for the remaining passengers.

Two Navy vessels, KRI Ajak and KRI Mandau, are also involved in the effort.

"We have also asked fishermen to help in the search. I hope the missing passengers will be found safe," said Pangkajene island regency administration secretary Surya Agraria.

A search is also under way to find survivors and missing passengers from a boat that sank in rough seas in Maluku province.

Two more survivors have been found from the ill-fated Wahai Star, which went down after suffering engine trouble in rough seas with some 60 passengers on board.

As of Saturday, 44 people had been rescued and the death toll had risen to 14.

"Two more people were found alive and are now being treated at Namlea Hospital on Buru Island. We have found nine more bodies," maritime policeman G. Tutupari told reporters in Ambon, AFP reported.

A series of recent fatal land and sea accidents has claimed dozens of lives across the country, putting Indonesia's poor transportation safety standards into the spotlight yet again.

Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Jamal warned Thursday that huge waves, in excess of six meters, would continue until August.

The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency attributed the huge waves to tropical cyclone Man Yi, which is expected to affect several regions in the country.

Waves are predicted to crash onto eastern shores near the Seram, Aru and Arafuru seas, the Fak Fak and Merauke coasts and most of Maluku.