TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The internal investigation team of the Jakarta Military Command [Kodam Jaya] has investigated allegations of negligence on boat maintenance following the sinking boat at Thousand Islands two days ago. KMC Komando AD1605 was carrying 30 passengers when it submerged in the water.

Kodam Jaya's chief of information Lt. Col. [Inf] Kristomei Sianturi claimed his office has yet speculated the cause of the ship made in the country to sink. “Our team currently on duty, whether it caused by procedural error or the engine didn’t maintain well. We’ll let our team investigate it first,” he told Tempo, Tuesday, March 13.

The boat sank due to engine failure was heading Pramuka Island for social work purposes on Wednesday, March 14. At the time, Kodam Jaya mobilized KMC Komando AD 0415 and several other ships to rescue 115 personnel. There were no victims but the vessel submerged to the bottom of the sea.

Read: Kodam Jaya Speedboat Sinks in Thousand Islands Waters

The ship belongs to TNI Army’s Directorate of Transportation was built in 2013 by PT Tesco Indomaritim with aluminum material. The fast fleet is usually used for swamp and coastal areas operations. The boat has 2 x 750 horsepower with a speed of 25 knots per hour and able to load 31 passengers and 3 crew members.

The investigation team planned to investigate the routine maintenance on the ship engines. Kristomei explained the team will see through the records book including the machine's last condition. He stated the wrecked ship might be likely taken out from the sea should the investigation need for evidence. “It’s part of an examination object,” he added.

Furthermore, the team has examined a number of witnesses, including crew members. The internal team has asked the investigation team for the incident chronology so that the cause will be revealed for further assessment to be applied.

Kodam Jaya sailed the boat to transport soldiers of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and their families to hold a social work at Pramuka Island. Since last week, they planned to establish free treatment for the local community.

AVIT HIDAYAT