Passenger ship MABUHAY NUSANTARA struck anchored ferry LABITRA KARINA at around 0700 LT Apr 1 at Merak port anchorage, Java, Sunda Strait. LABITRA KARINA officer on watch timely saw oncoming MABUHAY NUSANTARA and was making VHF calls, but in vain, MABUHAY NUSANTARA bridge didn’t respond. LABITRA KARINA hull was breached in several places with ensuing water ingress, ferry heaved up anchor and managed to run aground on coastline, to avoid sinking. Some crew were evacuated, some remain on board to assist salvage operation. LABITRA KARINA was anchored at Merak anchorage since Mar 30, MABUHAY NUSANTARAwas anchored since Mar 31 and understood, was leaving anchorage at the time of collision.
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