IPB Oceanography Expert Explains How Ocean Dynamics in the Sunda Strait Are Complicating the Search for 8 Missing Victims in the Krakatau Area
The search for five journalists and three ship crew members missing in the waters around Mount Anak Krakatau is still ongoing by a joint SAR team. As the search enters its 23rd day, no signs of the victims or the shipwreck have yet been detected due to the complex conditions of the local waters.
IPB University Oceanography Expert Prof Agus S Atmadipoera explained that the Sunda Strait is highly dynamic, with very strong currents, particularly from July through September. In addition to tidal currents that accelerate water movement, the seasonal easterly waves from the south and the area’s complex topography pose major obstacles to the search.
“This combination, along with the extremely complex topography in the Sunda Strait region, creates very strong currents, which I believe is why the missing ship has been so difficult for the Basarnas team to locate,” said Prof Agus on Metro TV’s Top News program (9/19).
He added that the dynamics of the currents in that area tend to flow toward the Indian Ocean on the southern or southwestern side. If a ship is adrift on the surface without a communication signal, it can quickly drift off the main route.
“Based on my rough calculations, from the vicinity of Krakatau, it would take about 2–3 days to drift into the Indian Ocean, exiting the Sunda Strait once it enters the strong main current,” he explained.
However, Prof Agus also mentioned the possibility of a backflow or recirculation. This phenomenon has the potential to carry stranded objects to the southern archipelago, such as Panaitan Island and Ujung Kulon, because the currents on the leeward side of the Krakatau Islands tend to be weaker.
To optimize the search, Prof Agus suggested utilizing satellite monitoring technology and fostering cross agency collaboration on the ground.
“Basarnas has already done its utmost, but efforts could be aided by ultra high resolution satellites say, with a resolution of less than 1 meter to pinpoint the starting point and narrow down the search area,” he explained.
In addition to satellite imagery assistance in the early days of the incident, coordination with local communities is also considered crucial. “Practically speaking, coordination could also involve fishermen from Cilacap and Pelabuhan Ratu, who in recent months have tended to head toward Bengkulu,” said Prof Agus.
Regarding the safety of non military shipping in zones prone to eruptions and extreme currents, such as Krakatau, Prof Agus emphasized the importance of monitoring volcanic early warnings and ensuring technical risk mitigation preparedness, given that no mayday signal was detected from the outset of the incident. (MW) (IAAS/LAN)
