Reviewing Sailing Practices

Our national identity was, is and always will be closely linked to the seas. However, the recent ferry disasters, of KM Sinar Bangun in North Sumatra and KM Lestari Maju in South Sulawesi, that led to 26 fatalities, highlighted the darker side that undermined our patriotic maritime spirit.

KOMPAS/ADITYA PUTRA PERDANA

The families of victims of the KM Sinar Bangun passenger ship, which sank in the waters of Lake Toba, North Sumatra, pray and throw flowers at Tigaras Port, Simalungun regency, North Sumatra, Tuesday (3/7/2018). The search and rescue (SAR) operation, led by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), ends Tuesday and will be monitored at the Parapat SAR Post. As of Wednesday, 164 passengers of the ill-fated ship were reported missing, 21 survived and three were killed.

Historical memories of our past glory as a maritime nation, combined with a seafaring spirit and the development of sea lanes and a maritime axis, will inevitably reinforce our national identity.

Our national identity was, is and always will be closely linked to the seas. However, the recent ferry disasters, of KM Sinar Bangun in Lake Toba in North Sumatra and KM Lestari Maju in the waters near Selayar Island, South Sulawesi, that led to 26 fatalities, highlighted the darker side that undermined our patriotic maritime spirit.