Strong winds and powerful sea currents in the Bali Strait, near Gilimanuk, Jembrana, Bali, have led to a tragic incident. The Passenger Motor Vessel (KMP) Gerbang Samudra 2, carrying hundreds of passengers, ran aground in the early hours of Sunday, June 22, 2025. Fortunately, 269 individuals were successfully evacuated. The incident occurred around 4:44 AM WITA, approximately 200 meters from Pura Segara Gilimanuk.
According to reports, KMP Gerbang Samudra 2 was initially set to depart from Ketapang Port heading to Gilimanuk. However, as the vessel advanced with its bow facing LCM Gilimanuk, it was swept by currents into shallow waters. The strong winds and currents from the south to the north are believed to have caused the grounding of the ship.
At 8:00 AM WITA, efforts to tow the vessel began with the assistance of KMP Gerbang Samudra 5 using towing lines. However, by 9:00 AM WITA, KMP Gerbang Samudra 2 had not yet moved. The evacuation process was temporarily halted to wait for the tide to rise again, and ballast water was discharged to lighten the ship.
At 9:15 AM WITA, the evacuation of passengers from KMP Gerbang Samudra 2 commenced. Personnel from KP.XI-2006 Tanjung Rening Sat Polairud Polres Jembrana and Basarnas were deployed to assist in this operation, alongside the ship’s crew. AKP I Putu Suparta, the head of Polairud Polres Jembrana, confirmed the incident. According to the reports received, KMP Gerbang Samudra 2 was captained by M. Reza Pratama HS.
The cargo data of the vessel is still being compiled, but initial reports indicate that it carried 269 people along with 4 private cars, 3 large vehicles, 6 medium trucks, 4 medium buses, 1 pickup truck, and 8 motorcycles, Suparta stated when contacted by detikBali on Sunday. As of 11:00 AM WITA, KMP Gerbang Samudra 2 remained in its original position, awaiting the tide, which is expected to rise around 8:00 PM WITA. “The situation is now under control,” Suparta concluded.
