TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Yudo Ponco Ari, the Commander of Third Detachement Amphibious Unit of East Fleet of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) said that the German submarine (U-boat) wreck that was recently found in the Java Sea will be preserved as cultural heritage.

“If it is not made into a cultural heritage, the submarine body could be stolen,” Yudho said to Tempo.

According to Yudho, the U-168 German submarine was found in Java Sea by fisherman and divers few years ago in 25-meter depth. The finding was immediately reported to the local authority.

“We just confirmed and re-publish the finding,” Yudho added.

TNI rolled a diving mission in May 2014 which was part of the effort in making the site a cultural heritage. Yudho said that it was not too difficult to find the wreck. The divers did not need any special equipment or underwater vehicle.

The U-168 sunk in the Javan Sea after getting hit by the Dutch torpedo. Some reference documents said that the submarine arrived and harbored in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta in October 1944. The boats were sent alongside other dozens of U-boat to help the Japanese during the Pacific War.

REZA ADITYA