Tanker crew evacuated following explosions in South Kalimantan, Indonesia

By Baird Maritime - July 13, 2023.

Some of the rescued crew of the product tanker Ratu Yamani after it was rocked by explosions in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, on July 12, 2023. The sailors were rescued by the crew of an Indonesian Navy patrol boat that was also in the area. (Photo: Indonesian Navy)

The crew of a commercial tanker were forced to abandon their vessel following two onboard explosions and a subsequent fire while in the waters of Indonesia’s South Kalimantan province on Wednesday, July 12.

The product tanker Ratu Yamani was underway in the Barito Estuary in Kotabaru Regency when the crew felt the ship being rocked by a blast at around 15:45 local time on Wednesday.

The Indonesian Navy patrol boat KRI Escolar was conducting a patrol of the same waters when its crew heard the explosion coming from the tanker just three nautical miles off their port bow.

The navy personnel heard a second explosion just two minutes later at around the same time that the tanker’s crew sent out a distress call. The patrol boat then diverted towards the tanker to render assistance.

The navy crews later learned that a fire had also ignited on board the tanker following the initial explosion.

All 12 of Ratu Yamani‘s crew were safely brought on board the patrol boat by 16:13. No serious injuries have been reported.

Two tugs had also arrived in the area to conduct firefighting operations, which were successfully concluded later that evening.

The tanker’s hull has cooled down enough to allow search and rescue teams to board and inspect the interior to ensure that no one had become trapped as the blaze spread through the ship.