Survivor recounts moments before Indonesian ferry sank after engine failure

Andi Samad, a 62-year-old survivor of the KM Nurul Salsa ferry sinking, has recounted the harrowing experience of the vessel's final moments in the waters of Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi. The ship reportedly lost engine power after being struck by high waves, leading to its eventual submersion and forcing passengers to survive adrift for days.

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At that time, the ship was hit by waves more than three meters high, causing the main engine to fail in the middle of the ocean.

Samad described how waves exceeding three meters high caused the main engine to fail around 5:00 AM WITA on Wednesday, July 15. After losing power, the crew dropped anchor to stabilize the vessel. However, the ship's precarious position in the rough seas allowed seawater to flood the lower hull. The situation worsened when the diesel-powered water pump, used to drain the incoming water, became jammed.

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However, the ship, stopped in the middle of big waves, caused seawater to continue entering the bottom of the hull. The situation worsened when the water pump with a diesel engine, or alkon, used to drain the water, became jammed.

Recognizing Samad's mechanical skills, the crew asked for his assistance in repairing the pump. He managed to get the engine running again, but the effort was ultimately insufficient. "Because too much water had entered, the pump could no longer cope with draining the water inside the hull. Then the engine died completely again," Samad explained.

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Because too much water had entered, the pump could no longer cope with draining the water inside the hull. Then the engine died completely again.

As the ship's condition grew critical, Samad began preparing for the worst, calming his wife, Sitti Amang, 55. He chose not to jump into the sea immediately, hoping for a passing ship. He observed the vessel tilting heavily to the left before it sank. Before they jumped, Samad instructed his wife to prepare a makeshift raft from styrofoam. They eventually jumped into the sea using this raft, along with three other passengers: Bau Asseng, Diska Yanti, and Sri Ardita. They were eventually rescued by a SAR team on the fourth day after the incident.

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I tried to calm my wife so she wouldn't panic and would remain calm.