Indonesian divers have begun salvage operations to retrieve bodies and right the passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8, which capsized in the Java Sea following a 20-hour voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, according to local officials. Nine people are confirmed dead and 108 survivors have been rescued, while 126 passengers and crew members remain missing amid challenging maritime conditions.
Salvage and Recovery Efforts in the Java Sea
Strong currents and large waves limited rescue efforts for five days following the disaster on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Authorities decided to right the ship to facilitate recovery operations, according to local navy commander Galih Nurna Putra. An expert team has been brought in to assist the effort, and specialist divers capable of operating at depths exceeding 100 metres (328 feet) have been deployed.
Divers managed to enter the ship on Friday and found the bodies of two men and a woman, officials said. However, strong currents quickly forced a halt to the underwater search. Rough weather previously hindered 1,100 rescuers from searching for the missing individuals.
Operational Strategy and Vessel Stability
The salvage team aims to tow the vessel into shallower waters before righting it, according to Galih. I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin search and rescue agency, stated that teams would be able to resume the recovery of bodies once the vessel is righted. Before that process is completed, divers face severe risks if they try to enter the capsized ship, he noted.
The capsized ferry has heavily complicated rescue efforts because it remains unstable due to trapped air and empty compartments, which could cause the hull to shift unexpectedly. Lying roughly 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) from the command centre at Trisakti port in Banjarmasin, the vessel remains difficult to access, according to Arianto Ardi, an official at the rescue agency.
Did You Know? The Virgo Transport 8 is a 119-metre (390-foot) ferry built in Japan in 1987 that operated there until last year before being sold to its current Indonesian operator, PT Virgo Karya Shipping.
Legal Framework and Transport Context
The operation will be led by the ship’s owner, as Indonesian law requires, and backed by the rescue agency, the navy, and maritime police, according to Sudayana. Indonesia relies heavily on ferries across its 17,000 islands, where sea travel is cheaper and more accessible than flying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the rescue operations to be delayed?
Strong currents and large waves limited rescue efforts for five days before authorities decided to right the ship.
How many people were on board the ferry?
The vessel was carrying 243 people on its voyage from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when it capsized.
Who is leading the salvage operation?
The operation is being led by the ship’s owner, as required by Indonesian law, with backing from the rescue agency, the navy, and maritime police.
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