Coast Guard Takes Decisive Action Against Encroaching Indonesian Fishing Boats Near Singapore

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has confirmed that its coast guard enacted "appropriate enforcement action" after several Indonesian fishing boats repeatedly strayed into Singaporean waters, a situation that unfolded on December 24.

In a recent statement, SPF addressed concerns following the circulation of videos and reports from Indonesian fishermen, notably a gripping clip shared by news outlet Batampos on TikTok. The footage captures a dramatic moment when a young fisherman, Danil Mahadir Van, 18, unexpectedly fell overboard due to the intense waves generated by a patrol boat from the Singapore Police Coast Guard. Fortunately, he was quickly rescued by his fellow fishermen, who can be heard urging the coast guard officers to assist as well.

According to SPF, their officers became aware of multiple unauthorized entries by Indonesian fishing vessels starting around 8:45 AM on December 24. In response, coast guard boats were promptly dispatched to the vicinity to ‘deter and stop’ any unauthorized vessels from entering Singapore's territorial waters.

By approximately 1:20 PM, two out of five identified Indonesian fishing boats had notably encroached further into Singaporean waters, steering northwest towards the Tuas View Extension. Serious about maintaining maritime law, the coast guard successfully intercepted these two vessels and instructed the fishermen aboard to exit the prohibited area. The fishermen complied, leaving the territorial waters around 1:40 PM.

SPF reiterated that foreign vessels must adhere to the guidelines set by Singaporean authorities in its waters and emphasized their commitment to ensuring safety and professionalism while carrying out enforcement duties.

In light of the incident, the Singapore Consulate in Batam has actively engaged with various Indonesian stakeholders, underlining diplomatic efforts to address and resolve the situation amicably. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency has announced an investigation into the event and has already met with the involved fishermen as of December 29 to evaluate their wellbeing following the hazardous encounter.

This incident serves as a potent reminder about the importance of respecting international maritime boundaries, especially in the context of growing tensions in the region surrounding fishing rights. As Singapore continues to bolster its maritime defenses, what will this mean for future interactions between fishermen and coast guard authorities? Stay tuned as the story develops!