Court documents allege ignored weather warnings, inadequate safety equipment, and critical failures in the vessel’s final moments
LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — The criminal trial over the sinking of the tourist vessel KM Putri Sakinah, one of Indonesia’s deadliest recent maritime accidents involving foreign visitors, has formally begun, with two crew members facing charges of negligence resulting in death.
The first hearing was held on March 12 at the Labuan Bajo District Court, one week after prosecutors submitted their indictment, according to Ngurah Agung Asteka Pradewa Artha, an official at the Manggarai Barat District Prosecutor’s Office.
“The first session was for the reading of the indictment,” Asteka Pradewa Artha told reporters on March 16. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for March 31, when the court is expected to begin examining witnesses.
The sinking occurred on the evening of December 26, 2025, in the waters of the Padar Island Strait, a busy route within Komodo National Park. Among those killed was Martin Carreras Fernando, head coach of the Valencia CF women’s B team in Spain, along with two of his children. A third child remains missing and is presumed dead after search operations were suspended.
Two Defendants, Multiple Charges
Prosecutors have charged two men: Lukman (56), the captain, identified as Defendant I, and Muhamad Alif Latifa N. Djudje (23), the chief engineer, identified as Defendant II.
Both face primary charges under Article 474 Paragraph 3 of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code, in conjunction with Article 20 Letter C, which covers collective negligence resulting in death.
Secondary charges have also been filed under Article 199 Paragraph 2 of the previous Criminal Code, relating to negligence that causes a vessel to sink or become unusable.
If convicted, both defendants face up to five years in prison.
Ignored Weather Warnings
According to court documents reviewed by reporters, the indictment outlines a series of alleged safety failures leading up to the voyage.
KM Putri Sakinah departed under a Sailing Approval Letter issued by the Labuan Bajo Harbor Master’s Office (KSOP) on December 25, 2025. However, three days earlier, the same office had issued an official advisory warning of potential extreme weather in Labuan Bajo waters from December 22 to 28.
The advisory urged vessels to monitor forecasts and avoid areas at risk of high waves, strong currents, and strong winds.
The indictment states that Lukman was aware of the warning prior to departure but proceeded with the यात्रा, carrying foreign tourists on a sightseeing trip.
“The first defendant knew about the KSOP warning regarding potential extreme weather in Labuan Bajo waters but still sailed the KM Putri Sakinah and brought crew and foreign guests for the trip,” the indictment states.
Inadequate Safety Equipment
While the vessel held a valid Traditional Passenger Ship Safety Certificate issued on November 13, 2025, court filings indicate that it lacked a rigid liferaft capable of accommodating all passengers and crew.
Prosecutors argue this absence became critical once the vessel began taking on water.
Captain Left the Helm
The indictment also details actions taken in the final hour before the sinking.
At approximately 7:45 p.m. local time, while en route to Padar Island, Lukman handed control of the vessel to Muhamad Alif, the chief engineer. Lukman then left the helm and went to the galley area for dinner.
According to the indictment, Muhamad Alif did not possess the required competence or certification to operate the vessel.
Despite this, he continued navigating toward the Padar Strait.
Final Moments Before the Sinking
At around 8:15 p.m., as the vessel entered the strait under overcast skies, strong winds, and high waves, a wave estimated at three to four meters struck the bow.
“The wave hit the front of the ship, causing it to tilt to the left,” the indictment states.
Muhamad Alif lost control of the vessel. A second wave of similar height followed, sending seawater into the vessel’s interior, including the engine compartment.
“At that moment, the first defendant saw water entering the engine room, which caused the ship’s engine to fail,” the indictment states. “The first defendant then ran toward the galley area to save himself.”
Prosecutors allege that Lukman did not warn passengers or instruct them to use available safety equipment.
Moments later, a third wave of similar height struck from the starboard side.
“The entire hull of the ship sank,” the indictment states.
Unqualified Crew and Safety Failures
The indictment further alleges that Lukman had not undergone the formal training required to serve as a captain under Indonesia’s Shipping Law.
It also states that passengers were not briefed on safety procedures prior to departure.
Both defendants are accused of operating outside their certified competencies.
“The second defendant accepted the role of steering the vessel without having the competence or certification, and due to his negligence, caused the death of others,” the indictment states.
A Case Closely Watched
The trial is being closely monitored by stakeholders in Labuan Bajo’s tourism industry, a key gateway to Komodo National Park that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The December sinking has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of maritime safety regulations, including mandatory weather briefings, stricter passenger controls, and improved vessel standards.
The next hearing, scheduled for March 31, will focus on witness testimony.
For the victims’ families—and for an industry still grappling with the impact of a fatal and preventable incident—the trial marks a significant step toward accountability.
