Passengers Involved In Bali Fast Boat Disaster Awarded Compensation

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An investigation remains underway into the fast boat that sunk off the coast of Bali. The incident, regarded as one of the worst fast-boat disasters in recent history, happened on Tuesday, 3rd January, amidst warnings from the Center for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics in Denpasar not to travel by sea unless absolutely necessary.

Now, police have confirmed that an investigation into potential negligence by the management and crew of the Kebo Iwa Express is in process.

The fast boat sank with 23 passengers on board. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or fatalities, but those on board experiences significant damage to their belongings. This included damage to essential travel documents.

The incident was confirmed by AKP I Wayan Antariksawan, from the Gianyar Police, who explained in a public statement, “Information was received that on Tuesday, 3 January 2023, around 16.50 pm, the sinking of the Kebo Iwa Express fast boat heading to Nusa Penida-Sanur occurred. In the waters off Manyar Beach, Ketewel Village, Sukawati, Gianyar. Precisely about 500 meters from the Segara Ketewel Catur Temple.”

@alennugi #nusapenida #bali #boat ♬ Oh No – Kreepa

The nationalities of the passengers aboard the Kebo Iwa Express at the time of the incident have not been made public. However, police have revealed that compensation has been issued to four of the victims. The Director of Polairud Polda Bali, Kombes Soelistijono, told reporters that his teams are aware that compensation has been issued by the Kebo Iwa company but not how much.

He explained, “I’m from the police side, I don’t care about [the amount of] compensation. We’re just [investigating] negligence.” He continued to explain that compensation was awarded by the company to four of the passengers during a meeting facilitated at the police station. However, “how much or what else is the matter of the victim and the management of the Kebo Iwa company”.

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@mercedeskay7 Everyone was fine, there were enough life jackets and other boats (like ours) took the passengers to port. The waves this time of year are way too big for boats to be going over them as fast as these boats were. If you are planning a trip to Bali save yourself and skip this activity. #nusapenida #fastboat #bali #shipwreck ♬ Titanic flute fail – Funny/Awesome Vids

The investigation into potential negligence by the Kebo Iwa Company and Maruti Fast Boat Group could take months. Soelistijono suggested that the case will continue to develop as they investigate both the crew and the condition of the fast boat. 

The update about the Kebo Iwa Fast Boat disaster comes as the Center for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics in Denpasar has once again issued weather warnings for conditions at sea in the coming days. I Nyoman Gede Wirajaya told spoke with reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

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A post shared by BBMKG Wilayah III Denpasar (@bmkgbali)

Wirajaya explained, “Based on the results of the analysis, the potential for waves reaching two meters is expected to occur in the next two days…The potential for rain is still happening; specifically for the southern part of Bali, it is estimated to occur in the morning. Meanwhile, for Central, West, East, and North Bali, it will occur from noon to evening.”

Just as he had done so in the days before the Kebo Iwa Fast Boat disaster, Wirajaya has once again warned the public to only venture out to sea if absolutely necessary. He called on marine tourism businesses and fishing crews to be extra cautious if they choose to take the risk.

Wirajaya added, “Hopefully, fishermen or tourism operators are more aware of this potential and consider it before going out to sea or doing activities.”

The weather warning has been issued throughout regencies in Bali. High waves are anticipated to form in the Badung Strait, the southern waters of the Bali Strait, and the Lombok Strait. The warnings extend out from Bali towards the southern waters of the Alas Strait and open coastal waters of the South Indian Ocean from Bali to West Nusa Tenggara. 

As a result of increasing callouts for the Search and Rescue teams in Nusa Penida, officials have banned swimming on three of the island’s most popular beaches for the foreseeable future. The beaches remain open, but tourists must not enter the water at Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, or Angel Billabong Beach until further notice from local authorities.