No. B.74/PDSI/HM.310/VIII/2009
Thousands of People Climb Up to Foreign Warship Enthusiastically
At least 1200 people from various regions visit foreign warships docked in KPPP harbour, Bitung city, North Sulawesi, which will follow the pass sailing events in the Gulf waters of Manado. Based on existing data on Indonesia Navy (TNI AL) security post on Bitung harbour, the enthusiasm of people are seen since they are given an opportunity to see into the vessel (open ship) warships from various countries at the opening of Sail Bunaken. A total of 6 foreign warships from United Kingdom, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia are welcome to ride by public. Public enthusiasm for entering the HMS Echo war ship of England appear larger than other ships considering that ship is the largest ships currently rely on Bitung harbour.
However, tight security and procedures established by the HMS Echo cause not all people who are interested can climbed to the ship. HMS Echo open for public only for 1 hour with limited number of visitors so a lot of people have to postpone their desire to ride. HMS Echo re-opens to the public today. Apart from the British warships there are 2 Thai warship named HTMS Rattanakosin and HTMS Phutta Loetia, BRP Quezon ship from Philippines, and KD Kedah and KD Tunas Samudera from Malaysia.
Bitung harbour limitation which may contain only 6 ships cause some other ships had to queue, both for incoming or outgoing of harbour. Beside 6 foreign warships docked at the harbour, there are also several ships currently anchored in the waters of Bitung, such as for docked ships of RSS Tenacious Singapore's that closer recently. Republic of Indonesia ship which leaning on the harbour currently are tall ship KRI Dewa Rutji and KRI Arung Samudera which was in Bitung Fishing Supervisor Boat harbour. As previously reported that 14 countries including United States expressed their willingness to send warships, including aircraft carrier USS Geoge Washington in the fleet review in Manado on next 19 August.
In addition to open ship, the main agenda of Sail Bunaken 2009 is yacht rally, international seminars and world record-breaking dive. This rally yacht has a route around the islands in Indonesia, and stop by in 18 cities. Followed by 163 sailing ships from 25 countries, with 510 participants, is the largest sailboat rally after the Atlantic Rally. They come from various continents of Asia, America, Africa, Europe, and Australia. There are two kinds of routes, first one is departure from Darwin, Australia on last July 18, then go through Saumlaki, Maluku, on July 21st, 2009. While the other one departure from Kinabalu, on August 3rd, 2009, entered Indonesia through Tarakan in East Kalimantan. On next August 12th, is expected to enter Bitung, North Sulawesi. To prevent H1N1, tests has been conducted since in Darwin, and constantly checks held in each stop by city.
As for the international seminar held at Ritzy Hotel, Manado, there are two kinds of seminars, which are discussed on the eradication of Illegal Fishing on 15-16 August 2009 with the topic "Intensifying Action to Minimize Illegal Fishing", and discussion of the realization of regional security in Southeast Asia on August 18th, 2009 with the topic "Building A Comprehensive Maritime Security in Southeast Asia Region". Attending the seminar are 16 KASAL from various countries, beside the other invitation including international and multilateral institutions.
Since the next 12th to 20th August there are a number of supporting events that can be attended and witnessed by the society such as glory independence performance, fireworks party, industry and nautical tourism exhibitions, culture and food festival, and city carnival.
Jakarta, August 2009
Head of Center for Data, Statistic and Information
Dr. Soen’an H. Poernomo, M.Ed.
Source:
1. Suprawoto (Head of BIP Depkominfo as the Chairman of Human Resource Sail Bunaken 2009 committee)
(HP. 0811899071)
2. Dr. Soen’an H. Poernomo, M.Ed (Head of Center for Data, Statistic and Information DKP)
(HP. 08161933911)
