KSOP Labuan Bajo says vessel-accident ratio fell to 0.019% by Sept. 30, 2025

Labuan Bajo — The Labuan Bajo Harbourmaster and Port Authority said its vessel-accident ratio fell to 0.019 percent through Sept. 30, 2025, continuing a downward trend over five years as it stepped up safety education, patrols and weather warnings.

According to the authority, the ratio stood at 0.048 percent in 2021, 0.045 percent in 2022, 0.036 percent in 2023 and 0.028 percent in 2024 before reaching 0.019 percent through Sept. 30, 2025.

KSOP chief Stephanus Risdiyanto said the safety push includes guidance for fishermen and tourism operators during public services such as the processing of electronic small-boat certificates, known as e-pas kecil. The sessions cover safe navigation and passenger safety, according to the authority’s account of its programmes.

The port office also issues Notices to Mariners when weather forecasts from Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency indicate potentially dangerous sea conditions, according to local coverage. Marine patrols are part of the same effort, with officers checking safety equipment, demonstrating its use and explaining emergency procedures.

Reported trend

The figures presented by KSOP show a year-on-year decline in the accident ratio across the series it cited.

• 2021: 0.048 percent
• 2022: 0.045 percent
• 2023: 0.036 percent
• 2024: 0.028 percent
• Through Sept. 30, 2025: 0.019 percent

KSOP described the ratio as a comparison between vessel departures that received a Sailing Approval Letter, or SPB, and recorded accidents. It also said the 0.019 percent figure was equivalent to 19 incidents per 100,000 departures based on its calculation.

The safety measures matter in Labuan Bajo because the port is a gateway to Komodo National Park, where visitor transport depends heavily on small vessels and marine conditions can change quickly. The ratio itself does not identify which incidents involved tourism boats, fishing vessels or other operators.

KSOP has not announced a new numerical target for reducing accidents after the Sept. 30, 2025 reporting period.

Two independent local reports published the same numerical series and the same safety measures, including the five-year decline and the use of BMKG-based weather warnings. A separate report later in 2026 also said KSOP was still using weather alerts to restrict sailing around Komodo waters during rough conditions.

That subsequent reporting showed the port authority’s safety approach remained tied to weather forecasts and temporary sailing restrictions, rather than to a fixed reduction target.

Context for travellers and operators

For boat operators serving tourists around Komodo National Park, the message is straightforward: sail plans in Labuan Bajo remain closely linked to weather guidance, patrol checks and safety briefings. The port authority said those measures are intended to reduce accidents before they happen.

For visitors, the practical implication is that departures may be adjusted when sea conditions worsen, especially on routes exposed to high waves and strong currents around the park.

KSOP’s figures cover the period from 2021 through Sept. 30, 2025.

Sources

• Merdeka
• detikBali