Rescue operations to locate 129 missing passengers from a capsized vessel in the Java Sea remain hampered by adverse weather conditions, Indonesian officials reported on September 15. The passenger ship Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 people, went missing on September 13 while en route from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.

As of Wednesday, authorities confirmed six fatalities and have rescued 108 individuals. Efforts to rescue those still unaccounted for have been constrained by rough seas, with waves ranging from 1.75 to 2.5 meters, limiting search activities to surface and aerial reconnaissance.

I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin rescue agency, said that despite deploying 1,100 coast guard and navy personnel alongside 10 aircraft, helicopters, and 17 vessels, weather conditions have prevented divers from conducting underwater searches. On September 14, the national rescue agency suspended sub-surface operations due to inclement conditions and poor visibility, officials added.

Mohammad Syafii, head of the national rescue agency, indicated that specialist diving teams capable of reaching depths over 100 meters are on standby for underwater missions once the weather permits. The agency is working closely with the Indonesian navy to monitor conditions and plan for deployment of underwater resources.

To aid in the underwater search, the navy will deploy the Canopus vessel, equipped with advanced technology including an underwater drone and a multibeam echosounder. A remotely operated vehicle will be used for detailed inspections around the wreckage, which is particularly critical given the unstable position of the ship lying upside down at a depth of approximately 30 meters.

Officials highlighted the dangers facing divers, noting that the capsized ship may shift unpredictably due to trapped air pockets and empty compartments, presenting hazards such as sudden pressure changes. There is also consideration of efforts to right the vessel, though such an operation would be complex and depends on stability factors.

Authorities remain cautiously hopeful about finding survivors among the missing, but emphasize the challenges posed by sea conditions and the precarious state of the vessel. Plans to recover the ship or tow it to the surface are under discussion as part of the ongoing search and rescue efforts.