Seven Crew Members of KM Gandha Nusantara 17 Confirmed Safe

PT PELNI (Persero) confirmed that one of its feeder vessels was involved in an incident in the waters of North Maluku on March 15 at approximately 09:00 local time, due to high waves and strong winds.

Press Release
PT PELNI (Persero)
No: 03.15/28/PR.KC/III/2026

Seven Crew Members of KM Gandha Nusantara 17 Confirmed Safe, High Waves and Strong Winds Identified as Cause

Ternate, March 15, 2026 – PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia or PT PELNI (Persero) confirmed that one of its feeder vessels was involved in an incident in the waters of North Maluku on March 15 at approximately 09:00 local time, due to high waves and strong winds. All seven crew members of KM Gandha Nusantara 17 were successfully evacuated with the assistance of KM Sabuk Nusantara 115, which was passing through the area.

Head of PELNI Ternate Branch, M. Lutfi Israr, stated that the incident occurred while KM Gandha Nusantara 17 was sailing from Bitung to Tidore. Approximately 30 nautical miles from Ternate, the vessel encountered severe weather conditions, with wave heights reaching three to four meters, accompanied by strong winds.

“At the time of the incident, there were seven crew members onboard, with no passengers or cargo. PELNI’s Management Response Team responded swiftly and coordinated intensively with Basarnas and KM Sabuk Nusantara 115, which was not far from the incident location,” said Lutfi.

“The crew of KM Sabuk Nusantara 115 made several attempts to approach KM Gandha Nusantara 17, but the high waves made the evacuation process difficult. Eventually, their efforts were successful, and all crew members were evacuated. There were no fatalities in this incident, and all seven crew members are in good condition. KM Sabuk Nusantara 115 has also safely returned to Ternate,” Lutfi explained.

PELNI management expressed its highest appreciation to the captain and crew of KM Sabuk Nusantara 115 for their prompt assistance and successful evacuation of the KM Gandha Nusantara 17 crew.

“We also extend our gratitude to the Basarnas Ternate team for their continuous coordination and swift support,” added Lutfi.

Gandha Nusantara vessels are rede boats that function as feeder vessels, used to transport passengers from PELNI ships anchored offshore to the port dock. Currently, PELNI operates 18 rede vessels across underdeveloped, remote, outermost, and border (3TP) regions.

KM Gandha Nusantara 17 operates in the Tidore area, providing free crossing services to the community.

About PELNI

PELNI, a state-owned enterprise engaged in shipping services, currently operates 25 passenger vessels serving 483 routes and calling at 75 ports.

In addition to passenger transport, PELNI also operates 30 pioneer shipping routes that provide essential accessibility for communities in underdeveloped, frontier, outermost, and border (3TP) regions. These pioneer vessels serve 229 ports with a total of 516 routes and 2,515 voyages. PELNI also operates 18 rede vessels. For logistics services, PELNI currently operates 8 sea toll routes and one dedicated livestock shipping route.

For further information, please contact:
Nadya Nathasya Zahra
Corporate Communications Manager
PT PELNI (Persero)
Tel. +62 21 6334342 ext. 1310