The Levina 1 was an Indonesian passenger ferry. On 22 February 2007, it caught fire, killing at least 51 people. Three days later, on 25 February, it sank with a group of journalists and investigators on board, killing at least one more and leaving three missing.
A fireboat dousing down the burnt-out hulk of the ferry
The Levina 1 was a 2,000-ton vessel[1] built in Japan[2] in 1980.[3] It was owned and operated by PT Praga Jaya Sentosa.[4]
FireEdit
On February 22, 2007, the Levina 1 was en route from the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, to the island of Bangka.[3] The vessel caught fire several hours after leaving port,[1] prior to dawn,[5] at a location 60 nautical miles (110 km; 70 mi) from the start port of Tanjung Priok.[6] Hundreds of passengers escaped the burning ship by jumping into the Java Sea.[1] Over 290 people had to be rescued.[1] At least 51 people were killed in the disaster,[7] but the Indonesian Red Cross says the number of deaths could be as high as 89.[8] The ship's log claimed the ship was carrying 228 passengers, 42 trucks and eight cars, but the navy claims it had at least 350 passengers on board.[3] It is common for logs of passengers to be left incomplete and boats to be overloaded in Indonesia.[3] In reference to the incomplete manifest, Transport Minister Hatta Rajasa said: "It is a big mistake that the ferry company never registered the identity of children passengers. It is a big, big mistake. I am going to give them heavy sanctions for that."[9]
Rescue effortEdit
The ferry's sister ship, Levina II, rescued many passengers, as did the Filipino ship Princess Vanessa. In total, two warships (KRI Cobra and KAL Legian), three helicopters, a tug boat and nine cargo ships participated in the search and rescue operation.[3] The injured were either transported straight to hospital, or treated at a makeshift centre set up at the port.[5] 60 people were able to swim to a nearby island.[10]
SinkingEdit
After the fire had been extinguished, tugboatTB Jayakarta III towed the ship into the waters of Tanjung Priok on February 24.[4] The following day, a party of four investigators and twelve journalists were taken to the ship by a police boat.[1][8] The reporters came from the Indosiar, Metro TV, ANTV, Lativi (later TvOne), RCTI and SCTV TV stations and the Elshinta radio station.[8] Many of those who boarded did not put on lifevests; although they had been available, the police had not made them mandatory.[1] The ferry was still under tow at the time, being seven nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) from the port itself.[6][8] It was already listing slightly prior to the party boarding the wreck, and the group had been previously warned the ferry wasn't safe.[8] The Indonesian investigative authority, the KNKT, had not given the group permission to board, but they saw other journalists on board, and followed suit.[7] Once on board the hulk, the journalists went to deck three where they interviewed the head of the city's Water Police, Adj. Sr. Comr. Frederik Kalembang.[8] Shortly after the party boarded the vessel, it suddenly listed sharply.[1] Police officers monitoring the vessel from a nearby boat used a loudspeaker to order an immediate evacuation of the ship.[8] Most of those on board rushed down to deck two, where they escaped via a window at the end of the deck.[8] The ship sank within five minutes.[1] One six-man lifeboat nearly capsized due to being heavily overloaded.[8] One Lativi cameraman subsequently died in hospital,[6] and three other people – two police forensics officers and a SCTV cameraman – remain unaccounted for.[8] Four more people were seriously injured.[11] Diving operations on the wreck failed to locate the bodies of the deceased.[11]
InvestigationEdit
An investigation was launched after the twin disasters by the National Transportation Safety Committee and the Police Forensic Laboratory.[6] The investigation established that the fire started in a truck on the car deck.[3] It is believed to have been a chemical fire, as the ship's crew reported that when they attempted to douse the tarpaulin-covered truck with water, the ferocity of the fire increased.[7] The trucker's ticketing agency shows that one of the trucks was loaded with cases of premixed petroleum, a rare and expensive commodity in Indonesia.[7] The ship's captain was interviewed as part of the investigative procedure.[4] Preliminary reports suggest that negligence on the part of the operator, PT Praga Jaya Sentosa, contributed to the disaster.[4] The investigation revealed that no inspection of the boat's documents was conducted prior to departure.[4] The vessel's skipper, as well as four other crew members, were also the subject of a criminal investigation regarding possible negligence.[12]
AftermathEdit
Setyo Rahardho, head of the National Transport Safety Commission, said that "journalists will not be allowed to accompany investigators any more", in the aftermath of the disasters.[1] Hatta Radjasa, Indonesian Minister for Transportation, personally ordered the Directorate of Sea Transportation to revoke PT Praga Jaya Sentosa's license in response to the inaccurate passenger manifests.[4] The directorate did so, and also suspended local harbourmaster J. Karelantang over his responsibility regarding the misleading documents.[4] The captain, Andi Kurniawan, and the first officer, Sunaryo, were arrested after the disaster and charged with negligence.[6]
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) reiterated an offer made to Indonesia in late 2006 (after over 400 people died in the sinking of Senopati Nusantara and Tri Star 1) to assist with aiding ferry safety. This time, Indonesia accepted, and the IMO made recommendations which resulted in the establishment of an action plan.[13]
ReferencesEdit
^ abcdefghi. WHDH-TV. February 26, 2007. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2007.
^"Spotlight intensifies on ferries after Levina 1 disaster". Seatrade Asia. February 27, 2007. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2008.
^ abcdef. The Scotsman. February 22, 2007. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016.
^ abcdefg. The Jakarta Post. February 25, 2007. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
^ ab. Fox News. February 22, 2007. Archived from the original on February 25, 2007.
^ abcde"1 dead, 3 missing as gutted Indonesian ferry wreck sinks". Inquirer. February 25, 2007. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
^ abcd. The Jakarta Post. February 27, 2007. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
^"Huge search for 120 missing in Indonesia ferry blaze". ChannelNewsAsia. February 23, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
^"16 dead in fatal fire on Indonesian ferry". CBC. February 22, 2007. from the original on October 23, 2012.
^ ab"Wrecked Indonesian ferry sinks with police, reporters on board; cameraman killed, 3 others missing". The Southeast Missourian. February 26, 2007.
^"Rescuers search for ferry survivors". Al Jazeera. February 25, 2007. from the original on January 19, 2016.
^"Maritime Safety Committee, 83rd session: 3-12 October 2007". International Maritime Organization. October 3, 2007. from the original on 17 July 2012.
levina, levina, indonesian, passenger, ferry, february, 2007, caught, fire, killing, least, people, three, days, later, february, sank, with, group, journalists, investigators, board, killing, least, more, leaving, three, missing, fireboat, dousing, down, burn. The Levina 1 was an Indonesian passenger ferry On 22 February 2007 it caught fire killing at least 51 people Three days later on 25 February it sank with a group of journalists and investigators on board killing at least one more and leaving three missing A fireboat dousing down the burnt out hulk of the ferryHistoryNameMV Levina 1OwnerPT Praga Jaya SentosaIdentificationIMO number 8001309FateCaught on fire and sank in February 2007General characteristicsTypeFerryTonnage2 000 Contents 1 Construction 2 Fire 2 1 Rescue effort 3 Sinking 4 Investigation 5 Aftermath 6 References 7 External linksConstruction EditThe Levina 1 was a 2 000 ton vessel 1 built in Japan 2 in 1980 3 It was owned and operated by PT Praga Jaya Sentosa 4 Fire EditOn February 22 2007 the Levina 1 was en route from the Indonesian capital Jakarta to the island of Bangka 3 The vessel caught fire several hours after leaving port 1 prior to dawn 5 at a location 60 nautical miles 110 km 70 mi from the start port of Tanjung Priok 6 Hundreds of passengers escaped the burning ship by jumping into the Java Sea 1 Over 290 people had to be rescued 1 At least 51 people were killed in the disaster 7 but the Indonesian Red Cross says the number of deaths could be as high as 89 8 The ship s log claimed the ship was carrying 228 passengers 42 trucks and eight cars but the navy claims it had at least 350 passengers on board 3 It is common for logs of passengers to be left incomplete and boats to be overloaded in Indonesia 3 In reference to the incomplete manifest Transport Minister Hatta Rajasa said It is a big mistake that the ferry company never registered the identity of children passengers It is a big big mistake I am going to give them heavy sanctions for that 9 Rescue effort Edit The ferry s sister ship Levina II rescued many passengers as did the Filipino ship Princess Vanessa In total two warships KRI Cobra and KAL Legian three helicopters a tug boat and nine cargo ships participated in the search and rescue operation 3 The injured were either transported straight to hospital or treated at a makeshift centre set up at the port 5 60 people were able to swim to a nearby island 10 Sinking EditAfter the fire had been extinguished tugboat TB Jayakarta III towed the ship into the waters of Tanjung Priok on February 24 4 The following day a party of four investigators and twelve journalists were taken to the ship by a police boat 1 8 The reporters came from the Indosiar Metro TV ANTV Lativi later TvOne RCTI and SCTV TV stations and the Elshinta radio station 8 Many of those who boarded did not put on lifevests although they had been available the police had not made them mandatory 1 The ferry was still under tow at the time being seven nautical miles 13 km 8 1 mi from the port itself 6 8 It was already listing slightly prior to the party boarding the wreck and the group had been previously warned the ferry wasn t safe 8 The Indonesian investigative authority the KNKT had not given the group permission to board but they saw other journalists on board and followed suit 7 Once on board the hulk the journalists went to deck three where they interviewed the head of the city s Water Police Adj Sr Comr Frederik Kalembang 8 Shortly after the party boarded the vessel it suddenly listed sharply 1 Police officers monitoring the vessel from a nearby boat used a loudspeaker to order an immediate evacuation of the ship 8 Most of those on board rushed down to deck two where they escaped via a window at the end of the deck 8 The ship sank within five minutes 1 One six man lifeboat nearly capsized due to being heavily overloaded 8 One Lativi cameraman subsequently died in hospital 6 and three other people two police forensics officers and a SCTV cameraman remain unaccounted for 8 Four more people were seriously injured 11 Diving operations on the wreck failed to locate the bodies of the deceased 11 Investigation EditAn investigation was launched after the twin disasters by the National Transportation Safety Committee and the Police Forensic Laboratory 6 The investigation established that the fire started in a truck on the car deck 3 It is believed to have been a chemical fire as the ship s crew reported that when they attempted to douse the tarpaulin covered truck with water the ferocity of the fire increased 7 The trucker s ticketing agency shows that one of the trucks was loaded with cases of premixed petroleum a rare and expensive commodity in Indonesia 7 The ship s captain was interviewed as part of the investigative procedure 4 Preliminary reports suggest that negligence on the part of the operator PT Praga Jaya Sentosa contributed to the disaster 4 The investigation revealed that no inspection of the boat s documents was conducted prior to departure 4 The vessel s skipper as well as four other crew members were also the subject of a criminal investigation regarding possible negligence 12 Aftermath EditSetyo Rahardho head of the National Transport Safety Commission said that journalists will not be allowed to accompany investigators any more in the aftermath of the disasters 1 Hatta Radjasa Indonesian Minister for Transportation personally ordered the Directorate of Sea Transportation to revoke PT Praga Jaya Sentosa s license in response to the inaccurate passenger manifests 4 The directorate did so and also suspended local harbourmaster J Karelantang over his responsibility regarding the misleading documents 4 The captain Andi Kurniawan and the first officer Sunaryo were arrested after the disaster and charged with negligence 6 The International Maritime Organization IMO reiterated an offer made to Indonesia in late 2006 after over 400 people died in the sinking of Senopati Nusantara and Tri Star 1 to assist with aiding ferry safety This time Indonesia accepted and the IMO made recommendations which resulted in the establishment of an action plan 13 References Edit a b c d e f g h i Indonesia to probe why reporters were allowed on fire gutted ferry WHDH TV February 26 2007 Archived from the original on July 22 2012 Retrieved March 1 2007 Spotlight intensifies on ferries after Levina 1 disaster Seatrade Asia February 27 2007 Archived from the original on August 10 2011 Retrieved June 28 2008 a b c d e f 16 dead on blazing ferry as passengers jump into sea The Scotsman February 22 2007 Archived from the original on January 19 2016 a b c d e f g Death toll reaches 20 in ferry inferno The Jakarta Post February 25 2007 Archived from the original on September 29 2007 a b Indonesian passenger ferry fire kills 16 Fox News February 22 2007 Archived from the original on February 25 2007 a b c d e 1 dead 3 missing as gutted Indonesian ferry wreck sinks Inquirer February 25 2007 Archived from the original on November 9 2012 Retrieved November 9 2012 a b c d Investigators to carry on query despite sinking evidence The Jakarta Post February 27 2007 Archived from the original on September 29 2007 a b c d e f g h i j Death toll rises as charred ferry sinks The Jakarta Post February 26 2007 Archived from the original on September 29 2007 Huge search for 120 missing in Indonesia ferry blaze ChannelNewsAsia February 23 2007 Retrieved November 9 2012 16 dead in fatal fire on Indonesian ferry CBC February 22 2007 Archived from the original on October 23 2012 a b Wrecked Indonesian ferry sinks with police reporters on board cameraman killed 3 others missing The Southeast Missourian February 26 2007 Rescuers search for ferry survivors Al Jazeera February 25 2007 Archived from the original on January 19 2016 Maritime Safety Committee 83rd session 3 12 October 2007 International Maritime Organization October 3 2007 Archived from the original on 17 July 2012 External links Edit in Indonesian Final report Archive National Transportation Safety Committee Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title MV Levina 1 amp oldid 1102346954, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
