Long boat carrying footballers from Selat Nenek sinks off Batam, sparking SAR rescue mission
A tragic boating accident in the waters of Selat Nenek, Batam, left two young footballers missing and triggered an urgent maritime rescue operation.
A Routine Match Turns Tragic
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, a long boat transporting 13 football players from Pulau Nenek to Pulau Setokok capsized in the choppy waters of Selat Nenek, Batam. The team was en route for a scheduled football match when their boat was struck by heavy waves at approximately 16:00 WIB, causing it to overturn at coordinates 00°54′38″N 104°01′47″E.
The first emergency report was received at 17:50 WIB by SAR Tanjungpinang from Zamri, a Setokok village official. Immediate search and rescue operations were launched.
Rapid SAR Response Saves 11 Lives
A combined SAR team, including personnel from SAR Batam, Marine Police (Polair), Naval Post Kertang, BP Batam, and local villagers, was dispatched using a Rescue Car Type II and a Rubber Boat. Additional resources, including thermal drones, Aquaeye underwater scanners, and marine rescue gear, were mobilized due to stormy weather with 0.5–1 meter waves and 8–12 knot winds.
By 22:00 WIB that night, 11 out of the 13 passengers had been found alive:
- 6 rescued near Pulau Setokok by local residents.
- 4 discovered clinging to the overturned long boat.
- 1 located drifting near Pulau Luing’s shore.
Missing Victims Narrowed to Two
Initial reports suggested that eight passengers were missing. As the SAR mission progressed through the night, six more survivors were located. By Thursday morning, June 26, only two individuals remained unaccounted for: Fir and Pa’i.
The list of survivors includes:
Rahel, Fery, Rico, Boge, Rehan, Andika, Tepok, Damar, Maher, Amirul, and Papat.
Harsh Weather Hampers Operations
The search teams braved persistent drizzle and strong currents. Despite the challenging conditions, rescue teams pressed on through the night and resumed at 06:00 WIB the following morning. The rough sea state posed a significant risk to both the missing individuals and rescuers.
SAR Tanjungpinang Chief Fazzli emphasized public caution:
“We urge coastal communities to stay alert during poor weather conditions. Our teams are doing everything they can to find the remaining victims. Please keep them in your prayers.”
Community Solidarity Amid Crisis
The tragedy is a stark reminder of the risks of inter-island travel during poor weather, especially in small vessels such as long boats and pompongs frequently used in the region.
This maritime tragedy underscores the need for enhanced safety measures for inter-island transportation in Indonesia. As the SAR teams continue their search for the remaining two victims, the incident resonates with families in the Riau Islands and across the border in Singapore, where news of the event is closely followed by those with ties to Batam’s island communities.
Sources: Liputan 6 (2025) , Detik (2025)
Keywords: Boat Capsize, Football Team, SAR Batam, Selat Nenek Tragedy, Missing Persons, Long Boat Incident
