3rd LD Writethru: Rescue operation underway for ship in distress: Indonesian authorities

A rescue operation had been under way for a ship in distress in Sulawesi waters, the Indonesian authorities said Saturday.

Two rubber boats had arrived in the area to rescue the ship carrying more than 100 passengers, spokesman for the national search and rescue office Zainul Tjahar told Xinhua by phone.

The ship was on route from Kolaka in Southeast Sulawesi to Siwa seaport in South Sulawesi and"The boat was hit by a storm around Bone Strait of South Sulawesi, about 12 miles from Siwa seaport,"the spokesman said.

"But there is no report that the boat had capsized," Tjahar said.

Media reports said earlier that the ship had sank off the Indonesian coast and the Indonesian authorities have denied the reports.

Meanwhile, spokesperson of South and West Sulawesi province police chapter Commissioner Frans Barung Mangera said "The latest information is that a boat from the National Search and Rescue (SAR) agency has been sent from Bajoe to the location. Let's hope that the rescue operation can be conducted safely and successfully".

Frans said the ship was transporting passengers from Kolaka seaport to Siwa seaport, and the boat experienced a problem during the trip after it was hit by strong waves which severely damaged the body of the ship.

"Water flooded into the ship after the engine was broken apart," Frans was quoted as saying by a local media.

He denied the reports that the boat had capsized.

The Marina Baru 2B boat carrying 94 adults and 14 children departed from Kolaka seaport at 11.00 Central Indonesian Time (WITA) on Saturday. The leaking of water was reported at 16.00 WITA. Endit