Police identify possible negligence in KM Feronia sinking near Labuan Bajo
Police said a strong whirlpool current, vessel construction and possible human error may have contributed to KM Feronia’s sinking near Tatawa Besar. Investigators will question the agent and owner.
By Pandi Muktar
· 2 min read
Labuan Bajo — Police said on 14 October they had found possible negligence in the sinking of the tourist boat KM Feronia in Komodo National Park waters on 13 October 2026. The vessel sank near Tatawa Besar, in Manggarai Barat, after encountering a powerful current whirlpool, according to investigators.
Polres Manggarai Barat, the Manggarai Barat Resort Police, said its preliminary analysis found calm weather and no high waves when the incident occurred. Police said the Tatawa Besar waters are known for very strong whirlpool currents.
Investigators are also examining the vessel’s construction. Police said KM Feronia had a relatively short and narrow hull supporting a tall cabin structure, which could make the boat unstable when hit by a strong whirlpool current.
Police said they had not ruled out human error by the captain, who may not have sufficiently assessed the vessel’s stability while crossing the current path. The police opened a Model A report, a report initiated by officers who directly experience, know of or discover a suspected criminal event.
Why the Feronia investigation matters to Komodo readers
The incident concerns a tourist vessel operating in Komodo National Park, where strong local currents can affect navigation even when weather conditions are calm. The reported focus on both vessel design and crew decisions means the investigation may have implications for maritime-safety oversight of tourist boats in the park.
Media Indonesia reported that one passenger was missing and three foreign tourists were injured after the sinking. Police were investigating whether the accident involved strong currents, operating errors or technical and construction factors.
Police said investigators would question the captain, the head of the engine room and three crew members. They also planned to summon the shipping agent and the vessel owner as part of the inquiry into possible safety-procedure violations.
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