Propeller Shaft Break Causes Indonesian Ferry Capsizing; Two Crew Dead ! 印尼渡轮螺旋桨轴断裂倾覆沉没 两名船员遇难！

Propeller Shaft Break Causes Indonesian Ferry Capsizing; Two Crew Dead !

印尼渡轮螺旋桨轴断裂倾覆沉没 两名船员遇难！

On May 5, 2025, an Indonesian automobile ferry foundered off East Kalimantan, costing two crewmembers their lives. At the time of the incident, the ferry was en route from Balikpapan to Penajam. When the vessel was close to its destination, its port engine broke down. Upon inspection, it was found that the vessel's propeller shaft had snapped, causing damage to the hull and allowing water to enter. The crew made an urgent attempt to repair the damage but to no avail.

2025年5月5日，一艘印尼籍汽车渡轮在东加里曼丹附近海域发生沉没事故，造成两名船员不幸遇难。 事发时，渡轮正从巴厘巴板（Balikpapan）驶往佩纳扬姆（Penajam），在距离目的地不远处，船舶左舷发动机突然出现故障。经检查发现，船体的螺旋桨轴断裂，致使船体受损并开始进水。船员们紧急尝试进行临时抢修，但未能成功。

图片源于网络

The stricken vessel promptly alerted a nearby ferry and sought its assistance to intentionally run aground to prevent a total sinking. Though it managed to beach itself on a sandbar, it later broke free and sank approximately 600 feet offshore. Passengers and crew were evacuated with the aid of onshore rescuers. Ultimately, the ferry listed to starboard, capsized, and sank.

该船随即将自身状况通报给附近另一艘渡轮，并请求协助其有意向地搁浅，以避免船舶完全沉没。虽然该船成功搁浅在沙洲上，但随后又漂离搁浅点，在距离岸边约600英尺（约182.88米）处沉没。在岸上救援人员的协助下，乘客和船员得以疏散。渡轮最终向右倾斜、翻覆并沉入海底。

The police have interrogated the crew, including the captain and the helmsman, and the investigation is ongoing. As is often the case with ferry accidents in Southeast Asia, the exact number of passengers and crewmembers on board was initially unclear. The official count increased as the rescue operation progressed. Initially, local authorities believed that there were no casualties. However, after compiling a list of 23 passengers and 21 crewmembers on board, the rescue agency Basarnas identified two missing crewmembers,  who might have been trapped in the wreck.

警方对包括船长和舵手在内的船员进行了询问，事故调查工作正在进行中。随着救援工作的持续开展，官方统计数字也在不断增加。 起初，地方当局认为没有人员伤亡，据Viva News报道，后经汇总发现，当时船上共有23名乘客和21名船员。在此次事故中，救援机构Basarnas认定有两名船员失踪，推测他们可能被困在沉船的残骸中。

On May 6, surface search operations continued. A Basarnas dive team was dispatched to the site to conduct search and recovery operations within the vessel's interior. Both missing individuals were found deceased, and the search has been suspended.It is regrettable that two crew members died in the ferry sinking accident. This also shows that mechanical failures during navigation can have serious consequences. It also shows the challenges in emergency response and personnel evacuation. At present, the relevant departments are carrying out a more in-depth investigation into the cause of the accident in order to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.

 5月6日，水面搜寻工作仍在继续，Basarnas 的潜水小组已前往事故现场进行船体内搜索和救援行动。两名失踪人员的遗体已被找到，搜寻工作也随之暂停，据地方媒体Beritakaltim报道。 渡轮沉没事故致两名船员遇难，令人痛惜。这也反映出船舶在航行过程中机械故障可能引发的严重后果，以及在应急处置和人员疏散等方面面临的挑战。目前，相关部门正进一步深入调查事故原因，以期杜绝类似悲剧再次发生。

Ferry Capsizes Frequently

Known as the "Land of Thousand Islands," Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic country. Ferries are a primary means of transportation for domestic travel among Indonesians. Unfortunately, ferry capsizes and sinkings are not uncommon due to a lack of safety regulations.

渡轮倾覆事故时有发生

印尼获称“千岛之国”，是世界上最大的群岛国家。乘坐渡轮是印尼民众国内出行的主要交通方式之一。由于缺乏安全规范，船只倾覆沉没事故时有发生。

In May 2022, off the coast of South Sulawesi:

In May 2022, a ferry capsized in the waters near South Sulawesi. After a 10 - day search and rescue operation, 31 people were rescued and 4 bodies were recovered. Still, 15 individuals remained missing. The search was called off on June 6 due to no signs of surviving passengers. The ferry sank in the Verao Strait on May 26. Local authorities attributed the sinking to fuel exhaustion and adverse weather conditions. It was reported that the surviving captain was found to be operating the vessel without a license. Both the vessel owner and the captain faced legal action.

2022年5月——南苏拉威西省附近海域

印度尼西亚一艘渡轮在南苏拉威西省附近海域倾覆。救援人员经过10天搜救，救起31人，打捞到4具遗体，另外15人仍然下落不明。由于没有幸存者生还迹象，搜救工作于6日停止。这艘渡轮5月26日在望加锡海峡沉没。当地官员说，沉船原因是渡轮燃油耗尽和天气恶劣。据当地媒体报道，船长生还，但被发现无照驾驶。船主和船长都已受到起诉。

On August 23, 2022, in Indonesia's northern Talaud Islands:

A ferry with a gross tonnage of around 1,000 ran aground. There were 202 passengers and 17 crewmembers on board. While official reports cited adverse weather, with rain, fog, and low visibility as the cause, local media, citing police investigations, suggested crew negligence might also be to blame. At the time, the captain went to the bathroom, leaving the chief mate in charge, who fell asleep. Consequently, the vessel veered toward the coastline and ran aground. Fortunately, all 202 passengers and 17 crewmembers were safely evacuated without any casualties.

2022年8月23日——印尼北部Talaud群岛地区

一艘约1000总吨的渡轮发生搁浅，船上有202名乘客和17名船员。官方报告称该船遭遇恶劣天气，海上有雨雾，能见度低。但据当地媒体援引警方调查，船员疏忽可能是原因之一。当时船长去洗手间，让大副接替指挥，而大副竟睡着了，导致船只驶向海岸线方向最终搁浅。所幸202名乘客和17名船上船员全部安全撤离，事故无人员伤亡。

On July 23, 2023, off the coast of Sulawesi Island:

A ferry foundered. With a passenger capacity of 40, the actual number of people on board was unclear since the passenger list often failed to match the real - time occupancy. At least 15 people perished in the disaster. Six rescued passengers were hospitalized, and 19 others remained missing.

2023年7月23日——苏拉威西岛附近海域

一艘渡轮沉没，该渡轮核载40人，但由于实际载人数量与乘客名单常常无法对应，事故发生时渡轮上的具体人数尚不明确。至少有15人在此次事件中遇难，6名获救乘客已被安置在当地医院，另有19名乘客仍然失踪。

On January 31, 2025, in the waters off North Kalimantan Province, Indonesia:

According to the Indonesian Navy, the fast - ferry accident that occurred on January 29 in the waters off North Kalimantan Province has resulted in 7 deaths and left 1 person missing.

2025年01月31日——印尼北加里曼丹省海域

据印尼海军当地时间1月30日消息，该国北加里曼丹省海域29日快艇倾覆事故已致7人死亡，另有1人失踪。

Reasons for Ferry Accidents

Indonesia, being the world's largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for domestic travel. However, ferry accidents occur frequently. From the aforementioned incidents, it is evident that adverse weather, overloading, and crew non - compliance with safety regulations are common causes.

原因分析

印尼作为全球最大的群岛国家，拥有超过1.7万个岛屿，渡轮是民众出行的核心交通工具，但其渡轮事故率居高不下。从以上事故中，我们不难发现，恶劣天气、超载、船员安全规范已成常态化问题。

Complex Archipelagic Distribution and Narrow Channels

Indonesian waters are divided into key waterways such as the Strait of Malacca, the Java Sea, and the Veracruz Strait, which are narrow and have high vessel density. In this accident, the route from Balikpapan to Penajam required passage through the northwest part of the Veracruz Strait. The area's complex topography of submarine valleys and sandbanks creates a convoluted waterways. In these narrow channels, vessels have limited space for maneuvering and avoiding hazards. Sudden mechanical failures or weather changes can easily lead to collisions or groundings.

• 群岛分布与狭窄水道

印尼海域被分割为苏门答腊海、爪哇海、望加锡海峡等多条关键水道，这些航道狭窄且船舶密度高。此次事故中，巴厘巴板至佩纳扬姆的航线需穿越望加锡海峡西北部，该区域因海底槽谷和沙洲分布导致航道迂回。狭窄水道中，船舶转向和避让空间有限，易因突发故障或天气变化引发碰撞或搁浅。

Sedimentation

Rivers like the Mahakam carry silt that forms dynamic sandbanks at their mouths. In this accident, the ferry ran aground on such a sandbank. At low tide, the water depth in some areas is less than 5 meters, significantly increasing the risk of grounding. In economically underdeveloped regions like East Kalimantan, channel maintenance lags due to siltation. This results in insufficient navigable depth, forcing ferries to detour or navigate through shallow waters, thereby exacerbating mechanical wear and tear.

• 泥沙淤积

河流（如马哈坎河）携带的泥沙在河口形成动态沙洲。此次事故中，渡轮搁浅的沙洲即为河流冲积地貌，低潮时部分区域水深不足5米，大幅增加触底风险。东加里曼丹等经济欠发达地区的航道维护滞后，泥沙淤积导致通航深度不足，迫使渡轮绕行或冒险通过浅水区，加剧机械损耗。

Giant Waves, Storms, and Sudden Weather Events

Indonesian waters, straddling the equator, are significantly affected by tropical monsoons, El Niño, and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). During the southwest monsoon (May - September) and northeast monsoon (November - March), wave heights in the Strait of Malacca and the Java Sea can reach 4 - 6 meters. In narrow straits like the Lombok Strait, the "funnel effect" amplifies wave heights. In the 2018 South Sulawesi accident, waves exceeding 3 meters directly capsized a vessel.

• 巨浪、暴雨与突发气候事件

印尼海域横跨赤道，受热带季风、厄尔尼诺和印度洋偶极子（IOD）影响显著，西南季风（5-9月）和东北季风（11-3月）期间，苏门答腊海和爪哇海浪高可达4-6米。狭窄海峡（如龙目海峡）因“漏斗效应”放大浪高，2018年南苏拉威西事故中，浪高超过3米直接导致船体倾覆。

Irregular Tides and Ocean Currents

Irregular Semidiurnal Tides: In areas like the Veracruz Strait, the tidal range reaches 2 - 3 meters, and the current speed during flood tides exceeds 3 knots. Vessels need to frequently adjust their power to maintain course, increasing mechanical load.

Tidal Turbulence: In narrow straits like the Sunda Strait, tidal turbulence forms whirlpools. In 2011, a ferry in the Sunda Strait lost steering efficacy and struck a reef due to strong tidal currents.

• 不规则潮汐、洋流

不规则半日潮：望加锡海峡等区域潮差达2-3米，涨潮时水流速度超过3节，船舶需频繁调整动力以维持航向，增加机械负荷。

潮汐湍流：狭窄海峡（如巽他海峡）的潮汐湍流形成漩涡，曾在2011年巽他海峡渡轮因舵效丧失撞上暗礁。

More than the above are the irresistible factors brought by geographical conditions and climatic problems. In the face of these risks, it is important to strengthen climate warnings and prepare emergency management measures in advance. However, issues such as vessel overloading, crew negligence, and a lack of safety awareness are also key factors leading to frequent ferry capsizes. These problems can be effectively controlled and avoided through human intervention and management.

以上更多是地理条件与气候问题带来的不可抗力因素，在面对这些风险时，加强气候预警、提前做好应急管理措施固然重要，但船只超载、船员疏忽大意、安全意识淡薄等问题，同样是导致渡轮倾覆事故频发的关键因素，这些问题完全可以通过人为干预和管理得以有效控制和避免。

Vessel Overloading

As an archipelago, Indonesia relies heavily on ferries for domestic travel. Due to high demand, some shipowners ignore safety regulations in pursuit of economic gain, allowing ferries to operate beyond their capacity. Overloading reduces vessel stability and anti - wave capability, increasing the risk of capsizing. Additionally, many Indonesian vessels lack adequate maintenance and safety facilities.

Crew Negligence

Some crew members lack safety awareness and proficient navigation skills. They fail to respond correctly to emergencies, such as improper vessel operation leading to grounding, stranding, or collisions. Crew negligence includes sleeping on duty and driving under the influence of alcohol, which severely jeopardizes navigation safety. Insufficient crew numbers also delay evacuation and self - rescue efforts during emergencies.

• 船只超载问题

印尼是群岛国家，乘坐渡轮是民众重要的出行方式之一，由于需求量大，部分船主为追求经济利益，忽视安全规定，让渡轮超载航行。超载会使船只的稳定性和抗风浪能力降低，增加了倾覆的风险。并且印尼大量船只存在设备维护不足、安全设施欠缺等问题，如部分船只没有配备足够的救生艇、救生衣等，一旦发生事故，乘客和船员无法得到及时有效的救援。

• 船员疏忽大意

部分船员安全意识淡薄，驾驶技术不熟练，在遇到突发情况时无法及时采取正确的应对措施，如未能正确操作船只导致触礁、搁浅或碰撞等事故；也有船员在值班时睡觉、酒后驾驶等，严重影响航行安全。还有一些渡轮的船员数量不足，导致在紧急情况下无法迅速、有效地组织乘客疏散和开展自救工作，延误了救援时机。

Mandatory Ferry Inspections in Indonesia

According to Indonesian regulations and international maritime requirements, Indonesian ferries are subject to routine mandatory inspections. However, there are still regulatory gaps and weak law enforcement.

Indonesia's Marine Law No. 17 of 2008 stipulates that the Marine and Coastal Guard (KPLP), under the Ministry of Transportation, is responsible for maritime safety enforcement, including regular ferry inspections. The inspections cover vessel seaworthiness, safety equipment, crew qualifications, and passenger - carrying compliance. Ferries must hold a "Passenger Safety Certificate" and undergo annual inspections.

As a signatory to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Indonesia requires ferries to meet international standards for life - saving appliances and fire - fighting systems. However, non - standardized inspection bodies often lead to safety hazards.

On May 1, the Asia - Pacific Region Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Tokyo - MOU) released its 2024 Annual Report. As a member, Indonesia reported 1,190 vessel detentions, involving 67 flag states, with a detention rate of 3.71%. The top 10 most frequent detention deficiencies were ventilators, air pipes, and cowls (173 items), fixed fire - extinguishing systems (172 items), ISM others (172 items), lifeboats (136 items), ISM equipment maintenance (134 items), fire pumps and piping (110 items), structural fire protection (100 items), oil - water separators (98 items), fire dampers (93 items), and hatch covers (92 items).

The propeller mechanical failure in this accident falls under the category of vessel propulsion system inspections. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation Regulation PM 89/2019, Article 12, vessel propulsion systems (including propellers) must undergo special inspections by the Indonesian classification society (BKI) every two years. The BKI Rules, Chapter 6, specify that propeller materials must comply with ISO 484 - 2015 standards. Propeller blades with thickness wear exceeding 10% must be replaced.

印尼渡轮强制检查项

根据印尼相关法规及国际海事要求，印尼渡轮需接受常规强制检查，但实际执行中仍存在监管漏洞和执法不力等问题。

印尼《2008年第17号海洋法》规定，交通部下属的海上和海岸警卫队（KPLP）负责海事安全执法，包括对渡轮的定期检查。检查内容包括船舶适航性、安全设备、船员资质及载客合规性等。此外，渡轮需持有《客船安全证书》，并接受年度检验。

印尼作为《国际海上人命安全公约》（SOLAS）缔约国，要求渡轮符合救生设备、消防系统等国际标准，但实际执行中常因检验机构不规范而存在隐患。5月1日，亚太地区港口国监督谅解备忘录(又称东京备忘录, Tokyo-MOU)发布2024年亚太地区港口国监督(Port State Control, PSC)年度报告，印尼也是其成员国之一。其中开出了最常见的滞留缺陷，2024年共有1190艘次船舶被滞留，涉及67个船旗国，滞留率为3.71%。滞留缺陷数量前10分别为通风筒、空气管、外罩（173项）、固定灭火系统（172项）、ISM其他（172项）、救生艇（136项）、ISM设备维护（134项）、消防泵及管系（110项）、结构防火（100项）、油水分离器（98项）、防火挡板（93项）和舱盖（92项）。

此次事故涉及的螺旋桨机械故障属于船舶推进系统的专项检查部位，《印尼交通部条例 PM 89/2019》第12条：明确要求船舶推进系统（含螺旋桨）每2年接受船级社（BKI）的专项检查。《印尼船级社（BKI）规则》第6章：规定螺旋桨材质需符合ISO 484-2015标准，叶片厚度损耗超过10%必须更换。

Typical Accident Retrospective

In 2021, a ferry capsized in the Verao Strait. The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) investigation revealed that the primary cause was fatigue fracture of the propeller blade. The ferry's inspection report was also found to contain fabricated data.

Propellers endure significant loads and stresses during extended use, particularly at the root of the blades. Over time, fatigue cracks develop within the material. These cracks gradually expand, ultimately causing blade failure. During navigation, the rotation of the propeller and the reactive forces of seawater continuously act on the blades, accelerating crack formation and propagation.

The ferry operator failed to conduct regular, comprehensive, and effective inspections and maintenance of the propeller. They did not detect or address surface and internal cracks, wear, and other issues in a timely manner. The fabrication of inspection reports meant that the hazardous propeller was not repaired or replaced in time. This led to blade fatigue fracture, causing the ferry to lose power and maneuverability and resulting in the accident.

典型事故回溯：

2021年，印尼渡轮在望加锡海峡发生倾覆事故，印尼运输安全委员会（KNKT）调查报告指出事故主要原因是螺旋桨叶片疲劳断裂，同时发现该渡轮的检查报告存在数据造假问题。

螺旋桨在长时间使用中承受巨大负荷和应力，尤其是桨叶根部等关键部位。随着使用时间增加，材料内部会产生疲劳裂纹，这些裂纹逐渐扩展，最终导致叶片断裂。渡轮在航行过程中，螺旋桨的旋转和海水的反作用力不断作用于桨叶，加速裂纹的形成与扩展。

渡轮运营方未能对螺旋桨进行定期、全面且有效的检查和维护，未能及时发现和处理桨叶表面和内部的裂纹、磨损等问题。检查报告数据造假，使得存在安全隐患的螺旋桨未能得到及时修复或更换，最终导致叶片疲劳断裂，引发渡轮失去动力和操控能力，酿成事故。

Seriousness of Fabricated Inspection Reports

Fabricated data in inspection reports conceals safety hazards, preventing their timely identification and rectification. This allows ferries to operate despite not meeting safety standards, significantly heightening the risk of accidents. Inspection reports are crucial for supervision department and operating companies to assess ferry safety.

Fabricated data undermines the regulatory mechanism, hindering effective oversight of ferry operations and compromising the safety of passengers and crew. After an accident, fabricated data complicates the investigation of causes and accountability. It impedes accurate punishment of those responsible and prevents learning from the accident to prevent recurrence.

The frequent ferry accidents in Indonesia are the result of both natural risks and human errors, reflecting a lack of social governance and safety culture. Although the archipelagic geography and extreme weather pose "inherent challenges" to navigation, the normalization of overloading, crew negligence, and equipment aging reveal deeper flaws in the safety management system. To reverse this situation, a comprehensive safety defense covering "prevention - response - accountability" must be established.

The government should enhance supervision of the shipping industry, strictly enforce safety regulations, impose severe penalties for violations, and regularly inspect and maintain vessels to ensure they meet safety standards. Shipping companies must take primary responsibility, arrange transportation reasonably, prevent overloading, and strengthen crew training and management to improve their professionalism and emergency response capabilities. Crew members should also raise their safety awareness, strictly adhere to operating procedures, and remain vigilant to ensure navigation safety.

检查报告数据造假的严重性

数据造假直接导致渡轮存在的安全隐患无法被及时发现和处理，使得渡轮在不符合安全标准的情况下继续运营，极大地增加了事故发生的风险。检查报告是监管部门和运营公司判断渡轮安全状况的重要依据。数据造假使得监管机制失效，无法有效监督和管理渡轮的安全运营，无法确保乘客和船员的生命安全。

事故发生后，由于检查报告数据不真实，增加了对事故原因调查和责任追究的难度，不利于对相关责任人进行准确的追责和处罚，也不利于从事故中吸取教训，防止类似事故再次发生。

印尼渡轮事故的频发，既是自然风险与人为疏漏交织的产物，也是社会治理与安全文化缺失的缩影。尽管群岛地理与极端天气为航行设定了“先天挑战”，但超载常态化、船员失职、设备老化等问题，本质上暴露了安全管理体系的深层漏洞。要扭转这一局面，需构建涵盖“预防-响应-追责”的全链条安全防线。

政府应加强对航运业的监管力度，严格执行安全法规，加大对违规行为的处罚力度，定期对船只进行严格的检验和维护，确保船只符合安全标准；船运公司要承担起主体责任，合理安排运输计划，杜绝超载行为，加强船员的培训和管理，提高船员的专业素质和应急处置能力；船员自身也要增强安全意识，严格遵守操作规程，时刻保持警惕，确保航行安全。