Labuan Bajo Revokes KM Yukai Safety Certificate After Grounding

Labuan Bajo — KSOP Kelas III Labuan Bajo revoked KM Yukai’s safety certificate on 29 September 2026 after the vessel ran aground in the waters of Seture Island while returning from Komodo National Park, according to Pos Kupang. The ship cannot resume tourist operations before repairs and a repeat inspection are completed.

The Kantor Kesyahbandaran dan Otoritas Pelabuhan (KSOP), the harbourmaster and port-authority office, said its initial assessment suspected a navigation error as the vessel travelled back towards Labuan Bajo. The report said the certificate withdrawal followed an examination and evaluation of the incident.

The grounding occurred on 27 September 2026 in the waters of Seture Island, Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Barat, East Nusa Tenggara. The vessel was returning from the Komodo National Park area when the incident occurred, according to the report.

Why it matters to Komodo visitors

A revoked safety certificate prevents KM Yukai from carrying out tourist sailings until its condition is reassessed. That makes the inspection outcome relevant to visitors using vessels operating from Labuan Bajo and to the port authority’s clearance process.

Detik reported separately that the certificate is required before KSOP can issue a sailing approval document. It also reported that KM Yukai was not permitted to sail while the certificate remained revoked.

The next step stated by Pos Kupang is repair work followed by a repeat inspection. KSOP will then determine whether the vessel can regain safety certification and return to tourist service in Labuan Bajo.

Sources

• Pos Kupang — Indonesian news report
• detikBali — Indonesian news report
• metrotvnews.com
• cnnindonesia.com