LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia – The recent sinking of the pinisi schooner Putri Sakinah, which claimed the life of a Spanish football coach’s daughter and left three family members missing, is not an isolated tragedy. An investigation by Hey Bali News, drawing on reports from local media including Detik.com, reveals it is the seventh such incident involving traditional wooden sailing vessels in the waters around Labuan Bajo this year alone, raising urgent questions about safety and oversight in a flagship tourism zone.
Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park, markets itself as a super-priority destination. Yet, the string of maritime mishaps in 2025 paints a concerning picture of operational hazards, from severe weather and navigational errors to mechanical failures and startling human negligence.
The following chronology, compiled from official sources and local reports, details the seven recorded incidents:
1. Presley Jalasena (January 31)
The pinisi was shattered after being torn from its mooring in high winds and waves, then dashed against a stone breakwater near Kampung Ujung in the early hours. Both crew members survived.
2. KM Raja Bintang 02 (March 22)
Carrying ten tourists and five crew, this vessel capsized and was stranded on a reef near Kelor Island around 1 AM. All were safely evacuated. Officials cited strong winds and approaching rain.
3. KM Wafil Putra (May 14)
Sinking near Batu Tiga Village after allegedly striking a reef due to “navigational error,” this vessel was en route to Lombok. All passengers, reportedly foreign tourists, and crew were rescued.
4. Pinisi Bahari Angin Mamiri (June 29)
This tourist vessel, carrying eight Spanish and Chinese tourists and four guides/trainees, sank between Mawan Island and Tanjung Lokima within the national park. All were safely evacuated after being hit by waves.
5. Pinisi Alam Kita 03 (August 28)
A leaking hull and a broken bilge pump caused this vessel to sink at its mooring. Only five people were aboard at the time, and the ship was later secured by authorities.
6. KM Putri Sakinah (December 26)
The incident that has drawn international attention. The vessel, carrying 11 people including the family of Valencia CF coach Martin Carreras, sank near Padar Island after reported engine failure left it helpless in high swells. While his wife and youngest child survived, the coach and two other children remain missing. One daughter was recovered deceased.
7. KM Dewi Anjani (December 29)
In a stark case of negligence, this vessel slowly sank at the Pink Dock in Marina Waterfront harbor because, according to officials, “all crew members were asleep” and failed to pump out water. There were no casualties.
The cumulative effect of these incidents highlights systemic challenges. While many resulted in fortunate rescues, the Putri Sakinah tragedy underscores the lethal potential when procedures fail. Factors appear widespread: vulnerability to sudden weather, inadequate mechanical maintenance, human error, and in the case of the Dewi Anjani, a profound lapse in basic seamanship.
For the global tourists and expatriates who form Bali’s core community and frequently travel to Komodo, this pattern signals a need for heightened due diligence. The Indonesian government has promoted Labuan Bajo as a world-class destination; this year’s maritime record suggests that the supporting infrastructure, regulation, and safety culture may not yet match that ambition.
Authorities continue to focus search efforts on the remaining victims of the Putri Sakinah disaster. Meanwhile, the broader industry awaits a comprehensive response to ensure that 2025’s grim tally is not repeated.
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