PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) is strengthening emergency preparedness among the crew of KMP Portlink II through safety meetings and regular drills aimed at improving response times and coordination aboard the vessel.
The latest exercise was held on Aug. 29 at ASDP’s Lembar branch and involved deck and engineering officers, the vessel’s crew and the company’s K4L (Occupational Safety, Health and Environment) supervisor.
The session included a refresher on the use of firefighter outfits and procedures for putting on the equipment quickly and correctly, ASDP said.
“Safety depends not only on the availability of equipment but also on the readiness and ability of each person to use it. Therefore, periodic drills are crucial to ensure that responses to emergencies are executed quickly, accurately, and in a coordinated manner,” ASDP President Director Heru Widodo said on Aug. 31.
The meeting also reviewed non-conformity findings from an internal K4L audit conducted on Aug. 13, with the aim of addressing the findings and using them to improve safety practices aboard the vessel, Lembar Branch General Manager Anis Adinizam said.
The crew also conducted a “man overboard” drill to test their understanding of individual responsibilities and their ability to coordinate an emergency response.
According to the vessel’s emergency drill schedule, Portlink II will conduct further exercises in September covering scenarios including fire, ship abandonment, injured personnel, grounding, main engine failure and collision.
“These drills are part of an ongoing effort to foster a culture of rapid response aboard the vessel,” Anis said. “By simulating various scenarios, crew members are expected to gain a deeper understanding of the necessary procedures, duties, and coordination.”
ASDP said regular safety meetings, evaluations and emergency drills would remain part of its efforts to strengthen crew competence and preparedness and support safe and reliable ferry operations.
