TEMPO.CO, Kupang - The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) handed over SAR Antareja vessel to SAR Kupang 233 for the sailing safety needs in the region. However, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya preferred a helicopter instead.
“If it's possible, we prefer a helicopter, as East Nusa Tenggara is an island in desperate need of a helicopter,” Frans said during the handover of Antareja vessel at Tenau Port, Kupang, on Tuesday, November 24.
Helicopter is very much needed because East Nusa Tenggara is consist of islands; there are about 1,190 islands. Most of the residents uses sea transportation to travel between islands which susceptible to accidents in the East Nusa Tenggara waters.
In response to the governor’s request, Basarnas Chief Marshal F.H. Bambang Soelistyo said Basarnas was ready to provide aid in form of helicopter, but must go through several phases and would be depended on the parliament’s decision.
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