Dozens of Sea Traffic Signs (SBNP) at some points in the waters and ports in Jakarta and Seribu Islands are malfunctioned. This condition is complained by fishermen they often trapped and struck rocks in shallow waters when sailing at night. Thus, their boats become damaged.

In this few months there are 7-8 boats are damaged due to many SBNPs malfunctioned. Those boats damaged because the fishermen hit rocks when sailing near islands

For information, SBNP is a tool that guides skippers when sailing at night. The tool iron pillars-shaped as high as about five meters have beacon lights. Besides at port entrance, it is usually installed to mark the shallow waters around the islands.

General Secretary of Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI), Muhammad Rosid (41), admitted that the malfunctioned SBNP has caused fishermen having difficulties when sailing at night and going to shore.

“In this few months there are 7-8 boats are damaged due to many SBNPs malfunctioned. Those boats damaged because the fishermen hit rocks when sailing near islands. Now, they had to use their feelings and memories on the waters’ structures when sailing,” he told, Friday (10/3).

Responding on this matter, Head of Administration Sub-Section for Seribu Islands Transportation Sub-Department, Iwa Kartiwa, acknowledged about the damaged SBNPs. According to him, those SBNPs are damaged because their batteries, as the energy supplier, were stolen by irresponsible people.

“SBNP lamp power is from battery. But, many batteries were stolen by people as well as fishermen,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Head of Sea and Air Transportation (TLU) Division for Jakarta Transportation Department, Reni Widiastuti, informed that based on her data, TLU has 38 SBNPs since 2001-2011.

“Yet, 14 of them are under maintenance process by the department. This year, we plan to install new SBNPs at five points,” revealed the woman who also serves as Acting Head of Seribu Islands Transportation Sub-Department.

Since 2010-2013, Widiastuti continued, 19 SBNPs have been built. This year, three more SBNPs will be built.

“Our budget is limited. But, we’ll check the malfunctioned devices to be repaired,” she stated.