What happened in the waters of Labuan Bajo late last year sent shockwaves far beyond the maritime sector. The tragic sinking of a tourist boat, which claimed the life of a Valencia CF women’s football coach and his family, quickly became a turning point for tourism safety in eastern Indonesia. In the aftermath, authorities moved fast. New rules are now in place. And they change how tourist boats operate in Labuan Bajo.
The government has officially banned tourist vessels from sailing at night in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. The decision follows a detailed evaluation of maritime risks in the area, especially after a fatal accident exposed serious vulnerabilities during nighttime navigation.
“Ship captains are prohibited from sailing at night, especially in 10 emergency-prone locations that we have identified and announced since 2023,” said Stephanus Risdiyanto from the Class III Labuan Bajo Harbor Master and Port Authority (KSOP), on Friday morning (9/1/2026), as quoted by detikBali.
According to Stephanus, the restriction is primarily about reducing the likelihood of accidents. Nighttime sailing poses higher risks, particularly when weather conditions deteriorate. Limited visibility makes it harder to anticipate hazards, respond to emergencies, and control vessels in rough seas.
Emergency response is another key concern. Stephanus explained that accidents occurring at night significantly slow down search and rescue operations. Poor visibility and challenging sea conditions make it harder for rescue teams to locate vessels and survivors quickly. This reality played a major role in shaping the new policy.
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The ban is also intended to prevent similar tragedies from happening again. On December 26, 2025, the tourist vessel KM Putri Sakinah sank while sailing at night in the Padar Island Strait, within Komodo National Park. The incident resulted in the deaths of Valencia CF women’s football coach Martin Carreras Fernando and members of his family.
So far, three bodies have been recovered. They are Fernando and his two children. One of Fernando’s sons remains missing. The search for the missing child is scheduled to conclude today, following three extensions of the search and rescue operation.
Authorities stressed that each maritime accident leads to a thorough review. “In every maritime emergency or accident, KSOP, together with related agencies such as the TNI, the National Police, and other stakeholders, conducts an evaluation of the causes and potential issues, so that measures can be identified that may help save lives,” Stephanus said.
With the new night-sailing ban in effect, Labuan Bajo is entering a stricter phase of tourism management. The goal is clear. Reduce risks. Improve safety standards. And restore confidence in one of Indonesia’s most important tourism destinations.
