The passenger ferry KMP Cemerlang 55 ran aground in the waters near Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana Regency, Bali, on Tuesday (11/11/2025) around 3:25 PM WITA (local time). The Roro-type vessel was sailing the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route when it became stranded approximately 1.81 nautical miles from the port jetty, at coordinates 8° 7’50.04″S – 114°26’19.62″E.
“The information we got was that the ship carrying 69 people departed from Ketapang Port at 14.30 WITA,” said I Nyoman Sidakarya, Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, on Wednesday (12/11).
Quick Response from Authorities
The Gilimanuk Naval Base reported the incident at 3:40 PM WITA. The ferry carried 69 people, consisting of 13 crew members, three accompanying personnel, and 53 passengers. Following the report, nine personnel from the Jembrana Search and Rescue (SAR) Post were dispatched to Gilimanuk Port.
Upon arrival, the SAR team immediately launched Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 01 Gilimanuk to reach the stranded vessel. Despite light rain, the evacuation process proceeded smoothly.
“There have been several alut (main tools) deployed, including one unit of KP Tanjung Rening Polair Jembrana Police), 1 unit of RIB Brimob Company C Gilimanuk and KP V 49 Syahbandar of Gilimanuk Port,” he added.
All Passengers Safely Evacuated
By 5:15 PM local time, all passengers and crew were safely brought ashore at Gilimanuk Port. Head of the Jembrana SAR Post, Nyoman Sidakarya, confirmed the successful operation and credited the cooperation of multiple agencies involved in the rescue.
“And the whole is in a safe condition. Not long after, the ship was towed with the help of a tug boat,” he said.
The joint team included the Gilimanuk Naval Base (TNI AL), Bali Police Water Unit (Polair Polda Bali), Jembrana Police Water Unit (Polair Polres Jembrana), Brimob Company C Gilimanuk, Gilimanuk Port Authority, and ASDP Gilimanuk.
Follow-up and Current Status
Officials stated that all individuals on board were accounted for and unharmed. The cause of the grounding has not yet been confirmed, and further assessments will be conducted to determine contributing factors.
As of Tuesday evening, the situation at Gilimanuk waters had been stabilized, and port operations continued under close monitoring. The KMP Cemerlang 55 remains under evaluation by maritime authorities.
