Basarnas not sure object detected by sonar is Sinar Bangun

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SIMALUNGUN -- National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) chief M Syaugi has confirmed the finding of objects that possibly is the wreckage of MV Sinar Bangun which sank in Lake Toba on last June 18. However, he could not tell for sure whether the finding really MV Sinar Bangun.

“We still process the finding of the objects, whether it is the wreckage of MV Sinar Bangun or not, we will continue to anaylize based on our analysis and discussion,” said Syaugi.

According to Syaugi, the objects found basedd on the result of scanning multibeam echo sounder and side scan sonar. He said based on the shape, the objects does indeed resemble as a ship.

Earlier, Executive Director of PT Mahakarya Geo Survey Bandung Institute of Technology Alumni Association (IAITB) Nanang Hengki Suharto also confirmed the finding of objects possibly is the wreckage of MV Sinar Bangun. However, he said visual conformation is necessary to make sure the objects are part of the ship.

This visual confirmation is done by dive using remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Accordung to Nanang, ROV is needed with a higher specification than the one used at the beginning of the search.

“The coordinates are about 500 meters from the position given by the apparatus, the objects found at a depth of 450 meters,” Nanang said.

MV Sinar Bangun capsized in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, at around 5 p.m. local time on last week. The latest development revealed that the boat carried 188 people while its capacity was only 43 passengers. Only 22 passengers have been found, with 19 of them having survived, including the captain of MV Sinar Bangun.