LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — A brief but dramatic fire aboard a traditional Indonesian pinisi tourist boat sparked concern in one of the country’s busiest gateway ports for Komodo National Park early Tuesday, after flames were seen rising from the vessel while it was anchored off Labuan Bajo’s popular Kampung Ujung waterfront.
Videos shared online showed bright orange flames erupting from the wooden vessel, identified as Somerdive, prompting fears that another serious maritime accident had struck the tourism hub. Within minutes, social media users began circulating footage of the blaze as the fire appeared to intensify.
Authorities, however, later said the situation was far less severe than the videos suggested.
According to Stephanus Risdiyanto, head of the Class III Labuan Bajo Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP), the fire was limited to a portable generator used to supply electricity for crew members on overnight watch.
“The vessel itself did not catch fire. The portable generator ignited, and the crew immediately threw it into the sea to prevent the flames from spreading,” Stephanus said on Tuesday.
He confirmed that the incident occurred while the tourist vessel was anchored in waters directly in front of Kampung Ujung, a well-known seafood dining area frequented by visitors arriving in Labuan Bajo.
No passengers or crew members were injured, and the vessel remained structurally safe following the incident, authorities said.
Although the immediate danger had passed, the harbor authority said the boat would still undergo a full technical inspection by a Marine Inspector before being allowed to resume normal operations.
“The vessel is safe, there were no casualties, but we will carry out a comprehensive inspection as a precaution,” Stephanus added.
Safety Under Renewed Scrutiny
The incident comes at a time when maritime safety remains under close public attention in eastern Indonesia.
Labuan Bajo, the main departure point for cruises and liveaboard trips to Komodo National Park, welcomes thousands of domestic and international travelers every month. Wooden pinisi vessels have become one of the region’s signature tourism experiences, offering multi-day sailing trips through some of Indonesia’s most spectacular islands.
Recent maritime incidents, including several high-profile boat accidents over the past year, have prompted tighter oversight of vessel safety, onboard equipment, and emergency preparedness.
While Tuesday’s generator fire did not escalate into a larger emergency, it serves as another reminder of the importance of routine maintenance and safety checks aboard tourist vessels operating in Indonesia’s rapidly growing adventure tourism sector.
For now, authorities emphasize that the incident was quickly contained, no one was harmed, and investigations will focus on determining why the portable generator caught fire in the first place before the vessel returns to service.
