KRI WSH-991 Crew Rescued 11 Stranded Citizens
The Indonesian crew rescued 11 Papua New Guinea citizens after their boat suffered a motor malfunction in the Pacific.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Emergency Response
The crew of the KRI WSH-991 rescued 11 Papua New Guinea citizens who were left adrift in the Pacific Ocean after their boat suffered a mechanical failure. The group, which included eight men, one woman, and two children, was successfully recovered near Green Island.
Why it matters
Rough sea conditions and an outboard motor malfunction forced the passengers to abandon their vessel, leaving them stranded until they were spotted by the KRI WSH-991. The rescue prevented a potential tragedy after the boat drifted off its intended course toward Nissan Island.
The rescue occurred 11 nautical miles southwest of Green Island. The group included eight men, one woman, and two children who were examined by medical staff following the evacuation.
The players
KRI WSH-991
This is the naval vessel whose crew successfully located and rescued the stranded passengers.
The details
The KRI WSH-991 crew spotted a flashlight in the dark and approached the group to perform an emergency evacuation. The passengers had departed from Kampung Buka on Buka Island and were originally traveling to Nissan Island before the malfunction occurred.
Timeline
The boat departed from Kampung Buka at 07:00 local time on September 26, 2026.
The KRI WSH-991 crew conducted the rescue between 00:30 and 02:30 local time on September 27, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The rescue mission follows the established international maritime safety patterns mandated for vessels encountering distress at sea. This operation aligns with the duty to assist stranded individuals under global maritime search and rescue protocols.
While this rescue was successful, mariners should ensure all outboard motors are serviced and carry redundant emergency signaling devices, such as waterproof flashlights or flares. Travelers navigating island chains should always monitor local weather forecasts as rough seas can rapidly force the abandonment of small watercraft.
The takeaway
Reliable communication and signaling equipment are essential for safety when traveling in remote maritime areas. Proper maintenance of propulsion systems significantly reduces the risk of becoming stranded in open waters.
Further reading
For more information on international maritime safety, visit the Emergency Response section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMPAS.
