Labuan Bajo Holidays Reopened, But Vessels Prohibited at Night

In Labuan Bajo, the journey isn't always about moving but sometimes about waiting. Waiting for the wind to calm, waiting for the waves to subside, waiting for the sea to become friendly again. In recent days, the sea around Komodo National Park has been impassable. 

The Labuan Bajo Harbor Master and Port Authority Office (KSOP), West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara Province, issued a prohibition regarding ship movements in the waters of Komodo National Park (TN Komodo) during the night.

Head of KSOP Labuan Bajo, Stephanus Risdiyanto, stated that Tourism shipping activities could not be carried out for several days. This refers to weather information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicating high waves.

Based on information from BMKG, on Friday, January 9th, weather conditions in the sailing area were declared safe. Tourism shipping in Labuan Bajo will reopen starting Saturday, January 10th, while still adhering to KSOP's requirements and conditions.

KSOP clarified that the prohibition does not mean stopping all tourism activities, but rather restricting ship movements at night for sailing safety.

“What is meant by Night Sailing Prohibition is not moving ships at night, especially in high-risk points,” he said.

Tourists can Travel in the morning or afternoon. At night, ships must take shelter and remain stationary temporarily.

For example, tourist ships are prohibited from crossing certain routes like Padar Strait at night.

Tour packages such as three days two nights can still be conducted but without ship movements at night in high-risk locations.

KSOP explained that reopening tourism shipping aims to help restore the activities of Tourism businesses as weather conditions improve, while also supporting the search process for victims of a sea accident.(ANTARA)