All eight of boat`s crew were reported to have survived the accident.
One of the boat crew members, Sopiyanto, said , before the tugboat passed under the Satu Barelang Bridge, it was hit hard by a high wave but the skipper managed to keep the boat under control.
"However, after passing below the Satu Barelang Bridge, the tugboat was hit once again by a high wave. The skipper lost control as there was also a whirlpool in the water," Sopiyanto said here Tuesday.
All crew members panicked because instead of towing the barge, the tugboat was being pulled by the barge and skipper Endra failed to steady the tugboat, Sopiyanto said.
"Because the tugboat was dragged under by the barge and it started to tilt, the skipper ordered all of us to jump into the sea and soon after, the tugboat capsized and began to sink," Sopiyanto said.
Fortunately, the accident occurred near an inhabited island, Aur, so that the crew members could be rescued by local residents.
The tugboat and barge wrecks were still in the water near Satu Barelang Bridge and Aur Island, Setokok Village.
The tugboat`s stern stuck out of the water which was not so deep.
The chief the Barelang Water Police , Commissioner Teguh Wibowo, confirmed the accident.
"We have received a report on the capsized boat. We also have interrogate the boat`s skipper," Teguh said. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
