Though many have celebrated the recovery of four Australian surfers and two Indonesians lost at sea for several days, there is still one Indonesian crew member who remains missing. ABC interviewed the boat’s captain, who recounted more details about the events that led to the boat sinking, as well as the identity of the still-missing crew member.
The Indonesian crew consisted of captain Yunardi Ardi and crew members Fifan Satria and Kibal (whose last name has not yet been reported). Fifan Satria has been identified as the crew member who is still missing.
Indonesia’s national search and rescue authority Basarnas told ABC that despite relatively calm conditions and the help of multiple boats, a plane and drone, there was still no sign of Satria when the search was called off at 5 p.m.
When interviewed by ABC, Yunardi Ardi described the harrowing final moments on his vessel. After being struck by large waves from the side and back, the boat capsized and forced the passengers and crew to throw their surfboards in the water and jump out.
“The waves were high and we all discussed quickly and decided to swim to the nearest island using the last rays of sunset as our guide,” he said. “The foreigners started paddling, we the Indonesians stayed floating, my missing friend looked weak as he was carried by a wave to the east towards Singkil.”
“I paddled in the direction of Nias and I could see the lighthouse of Sarang Baung Island,” he continued. “The waves kept pulling me away from the island but eventually a rescuer found me near Palambak Island.”
