(3/8/2013)
A RoRo vessel operating between Padang Bai in Bali and Nusa Penida narrowly averted disaster on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, when it was unable to maneuver well in offshore high waves and winds.
The incident that took lace at 3:30 pm occurred shortly after the Jaya Abadi RoRo ship operated by the regency of Klungkung tried to leave Padang Bai with poor visibility in driving rain, strong winds and high waves.
According to Seputarbali.com, the ship was compelled to leave port at the height of bad weather due to local rules requiring ships not to linger in port.
According to the an eyewitness, the ships was only 200 meters into its voyage from Padang Bai, when the winds and waves caused the ship to suddenly veer right before making an abruptly listing to its port side. Panicked passengers were said to scream in hysterically as cargo and passengers shifted on board the ship.
Fearing the worst, passengers briefly fought over life jackets, with some falling in the resulting melee.
Meanwhile, a large truck operated by UD Khaswari saw its contents shift leaving two wheels of the vehicle suspended off the ship’s deck. As the truck moved, it pinned a woman passenger between the truck and motorcycles parked on the ship. It took 30 minutes to free the woman, Ni Putu Tini (19) of Nusa Penida, who suffered a broken leg and pelvis.
Another passenger, I Wayan Sudiarta (39), suffered simple abrasions and torn trousers when he was struck by the trucks tailpipe.
The crew on the ship secured the teetering truck with ropes while working feverishly moving the truck’s cargo and returning the vehicle to a normal attitude.
It was only at 7:00 pm that the crew managed to recover the truck’s posture. Around 10 motorcycles suffered damage during the accident.
The ship’s captain, Abdul Manan, said all the vehicles that suffered damage will be repaired by the ship’s insurer.
The Head of the Klungkung police precinct, Ni Wayan Sri YW, said the entire mishap was a natural occurrence, asking all involved to thank God and simply move on.
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