An Indonesian warship, the KRI Siwar-646, during a sea patrol on Thursday found a Singaporean-flagged yacht, the Sunrise, that was carrying five Singapore nationals who have been out of contact since Tuesday.
Tanjungpinang Navy base commander Col. Ribut Eko Suyitno said the yacht, which departed from Batam for Bintan in Riau Islands province on Thursday, became separated from a group of three other yachts that were all sailing together. He said the Sunrise suffered engine and radio problems.
“The boat is now heading to Batam for repair,” Ribut told The Jakarta Post.
Previously, a helicopter had been deployed to look for the yacht. The three other yachts travelling with the Sunrise were the Katrianne, the Ximula and the Nirvana 8. They arrived at Bintan Island on Monday.
The five Singapore citizens on board the Sunrise were James Boey Chuen Yong, 41, Tan Swan Ang Kenneth, 42, Lee Shao Yi, 37, Lee Yeow Kuan Eddy, 54, and Goh Ee Kiat, 52. All were in healthy condition.
