Indonesian navy hospital ship rescues 11 PNG nationals stranded at sea

The PNG nationals were rescued by the medical ship in the early hours of Sunday morning (Image: Supplied)

Eleven Papua New Guineans, including two children, were rescued in the Pacific Ocean early Sunday morning after their boat engine failed, leaving them adrift in open waters.

The group was saved by the crew of the Indonesian Navy hospital ship KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 [KRI WSH-991], which was en route to Vanuatu as part of the 2026 Integrated Port Visit Task Force mission.

The rescue unfolded between 12:30am and 2:30am local time on September 27, approximately 11 nautical miles southwest of Green Island. An Officer of the Watch spotted distress signals flashed from a handheld light in the distance, prompting ship commander Colonel Benedictus Hery Murwanto to immediately deploy medical, security, and response teams.

By 1:02am, the 99-meter naval hospital ship had cut its engines alongside a seven-meter vessel carrying eight men, one woman, and two children.

The passengers had departed Buka Island at 7:00am on Saturday, September 26, bound for Nissan Island, when their outboard motor suffered a mechanical failure. Plagued by worsening sea conditions, the group drifted for hours into the night before spotting the naval vessel.

Upon boarding, medical personnel led by Lieutenant Commander Dr. Chairi examined all 11 individuals. The crew provided the passengers with medical evaluations, food, clean drinking water, dry clothing, blankets, and quarters to rest.

Following the rescue, KRI WSH-991 altered course back toward waters off Buka to facilitate a safe drop-off. Once within cellular range, one of the rescued passengers contacted relatives on shore, allowing navy personnel to hand over the group and their belongings directly to family members.

Indonesian naval leadership emphasized that the operation highlights the country's maritime humanitarian commitments in the region.

"The Indonesian Navy's responsibilities extend beyond safeguarding maritime sovereignty and security to upholding humanitarian values in every mission," said Chief of Staff Admiral Dr. Muhammad Ali.

The KRI WSH-991 has since resumed its voyage towards Vanuatu to continue its South Pacific diplomacy and medical outreach mission.