MV Teratai Prima

The MV Teratai Prima was an Indonesian ferry that sank on January 11, 2009 around 04:00 local time (January 10, 21:00 UTC) in the Makassar Strait off West Sulawesi due to stormy weather associated with Tropical Cyclone Charlotte. Survivors stated that the ferry had been slammed by 4-metre (13 ft) waves.^[1]

The vessel was carrying 250 passengers and 17 crew at the time of sinking. By January 11, 22 people (including the ship's captain) are believed to have been rescued by fishermen; a 23rd passenger was rescued on January 12.^[2] The captain is being investigated for allegedly ignoring warnings from the Indonesian weather agency that conditions on the crossing were too dangerous.^[1] The ferry was making an overnight journey from Pare-Pare, South Sulawesi to Samarinda, East Kalimantan.^[3][4]

Sunaryo, a transport ministry maritime official, said, "We are facing very bad weather and rough seas. We don't want to take any risks by sending small boats."^[5]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} "More than 250 feared dead after cyclone sinks Indonesian ferry". CBC News (January 12, 2009). Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
2. ^ "23rd survivor of sinking ferry saved in Indonesian Majene waters". Xinhua News Agency (January 12, 2009). Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
3. ^ "Indonesian ferry sinks in storm", BBC News (January 11, 2009). Retrieved on January 11, 2009.
4. ^ "Indonesian ferry sinks with 267 on board", The Guardian (January 11, 2009). Retrieved on January 11, 2009.
5. ^ "Hopes dim in Indonesia sea search", BBC News (January 13, 2009). Retrieved on January 13, 2009.