Natuna - The Head of Public Relations and Protocol of Bakamla Republic of Indonesia, Colonel Bakamla Wisnu Pramandita, confirmed the blockade of a Vietnamese Fisheries Supervisory vessel Kiem Ngu 215 for entering Indonesian waters in the Natuna Sea. This happened on Saturday, January 16, 2021, when SAR operations and preparation for earthquake relief in West Sulawesi were about to be carried out.

"The incident took place when KN Tanjung Datu-301, commanded by Colonel Bakamla Arif Rahman, was carrying out the Domestic Maritime Security and Safety Operations," said Wisnu in a written statement on Sunday (17/1/2021), quoted from Liputan6.com.

Wisnu explained Trisula-I/21 received information on Friday (15/1/2021) at 15.30 WIB from the Indonesian Bakamla Puskodal regarding the existence of the Vietnam Fisheries Supervisory vessel around the boundary line of the Indonesian continental shelf.

"After obtaining this information on Saturday (16/1/2021) at 04.00, WIB KN Tanjung Datu-301 which was on Pulau Laut went straight to the boundary line of the Indonesian continental shelf to inspect the existence of the Vietnam Fisheries Supervisory vessel," said Wisnu.

Then, at 14.30 WIB the KN Tanjung Datu-301 through AIS equipment managed to detect the presence of the Vietnam Fisheries Supervisory vessel. It is known that the vessel was named the hull of Kiem Ngu 215 which is approximately 2.5 nm south of the continental shelf boundary.

"At 14:45 WIB KN Tanjung Datu-301 made radio contact and at the same time introduced himself as the Indonesia Coast Guard to inquire about his presence in Indonesian waters," said Wisnu.

Wisnu admitted that the Vietnamese vessel responded cooperatively. This was seen when the Kiem Ngu 215 vessel received a message from KN Tanjung-301 and it was found that the reason for Kiem Ngu 215 being in Indonesian waters was due to engine failure since Thursday, January 15, 2021.

"Commander of KN Tanjung Datu-301 Colonel Bakamla Arif Rahman continued to coordinate through radio contact. At 15.30 WIB the Kiem Ngu vessel 215 started the engine and began moving northward, monitored by KN Tanjung Datu-301 to 3 nm north of the continental shelf boundary line," Vishnu insists.