Working Conditions Aboard the Agia-Dynami

On May 2, 2020, the bulk carrier 'Asia Pearl IV', carrying a significant load of 30,000 tons of white sugar and with a crew of 24 on board, encountered trouble while en route from Laem Chabang to Merak. The vessel ran aground near Mendanau Island at the coordinates 02° 38.97' N 107° 14.96' E, with an estimated time of arrival in Merak set for May 3. In response to the incident, the ship's owners have enlisted the expertise of PT Samudera Mbianti Sesami and SMIT Land Marine Engineering (Far East) Pte Ltd. They operate under Lloyd’s Open Form to carry out refloating operations for the stranded vessel. Notably, there is the likelihood that General Average might be declared as part of the recovery process. Despite the grounding, the crew remains safe and onboard, having successfully passed health checks confirming their well-being. In precautionary measures, two rescue boats have been stationed near the vessel. Preliminary assessments suggest that human error may have contributed to the grounding incident. Fortunately, the integrity and stability of the ship have not been compromised. To ensure environmental safety, Indonesian officials have planned to conduct a dive examination to assess any potential damage to coral reefs in the vicinity. Furthermore, a collaborative team comprising government officials and researchers is set to revisit the grounding site to evaluate the full scope of its impact. Importantly, it has been confirmed that the grounding poses no obstruction to navigation routes leading to Tanjung Pandan Port, the principal port serving Belitung Island. This incident highlights the importance of maritime safety and the need for thorough investigations in the wake of such events.