Syahbandar Disallow Sailing Due to High Wave

By Ulul Maskuriah

Banjarmasin , South Kalimantan ( Antaranews ) - Trisakti Ports Authority issued a ban on sailing due to bad weather and high waves reaching 3-4 meters, thus endangering shipping.

Head of Safety Sailing, Custody and Patrol of Trisakti Port Authority (KSOP) Hapid Budiman here on Friday said that the sailing ban issued since four days ago. "The current wave very endangering, so that the entire ship, either coal ship, roro ship and traditional people ship are not allow to sail," he said.

Not yet known exactly how long the ban will be enforced to sailing, but based on information from the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, January 21 will be the peak wave height. "It is estimated that on January 21 the waves can reach a height of 5-6 meters, so it would be much more dangerous for shipping," he said.

Prohibition of sailing due to bad weather causes a buildup of the trucks at the Port of Trisakti to be crossed to Surabaya with Roro vessel.

One of the driver for Surabaya destination, Gatot, revealing he has been halted at the Port of Trisakti since last week, as no incoming ships from Surabaya to Trisakti.

According to him , despite the prohibition of sailing to Surabaya has just took effect, but since no ships coming from Surabaya, shipping remains empty.

These conditions causing substantial losses, as the driver demanded mandatory deposit to the owner of a fleet by Rp700 thousand per day. "If we stuck to one week, then we have to pay seven times Rp700 thousand, not to mention the need to add in the cost for the port," he said.

As known, in recent days, extreme weather occurred in almost all regions of Kalimantan, both wind and rain. It is 

estimated that the extreme weather will continue until early February 2014.

Anticipate disasters such as floods, South Kalimantan Governor sent a warning letter that all regents and mayors immediately conduct coordination meetings to anticipate the various disasters that may occurred.