Navy Investigates Tank-Like Object Found by Fishermen in Bintan Waters

The Indonesian Navy is currently investigating a tank-like object found in Bintan waters in Riau by local fishermen.

Chief of Main Naval Base (Lantamal) IV Tanjungpinang First Admiral Tjahja Setiawan confirmed on Wednesday, December 29, that the object resembles a tank, and through manual assessment, it’s found that the orange-colored object is made of 0.2cm-thick metal.

“It physically looks like a tank,” Setiawan said, as reported by Antara.

Styrofoam was also found in the right and left sides of the object which helped it to float.

Setiawan added that his team has yet to found any tools or equipment from the finding, including its origin and designation. And until assessment by the Navy is completed, authority won’t be able to official identify the object.

Previously, similar object was also found in Natuna Sea. However, it was since confirmed that the object belonged to oil and gas company Star Energy and wasn’t dangerous.

Setiawan predicted the tank-like object found recently to be similar to the one found in Natuna, and that it was swept away by currents to Bintan. He confirmed that the Navy hasn’t found other suspicious object in the sea.

Meanwhile, local fisher Jay said he was fishing on Monday when he found the thing about 200 meters away from him and his boat.

“I was fishing at around 8.00 a.m.,” Jay said in Bintan on Wednesday.

Even though he was a bit worried, he decided to approach the object and pulled it to the shore.

“I immediately reported [the finding] to head of village, and the information was forwarded to the Navy,” he explained.