Safe Navigation Awareness and Campaign Held in Batang, Strengthening the “Safety First” Culture

“Ready to Sail, Know the Route, Stay Safe, Achieve Zero Accidents” Marks National Transportation Day Commemoration

Bhimasena Power, Batang Power Plant – Maritime safety is a shared responsibility. This message was at the heart of the National Transportation Day commemoration on September 17 through the 2026 Safe Navigation Awareness and Campaign for Fishermen and Waterway Users in Batang Regency, held at the Batang Class III Port Management Unit (UPP) Office on Monday (September 21).

Carrying the theme “Ready to Sail, Know the Route, Stay Safe, Achieve Zero Accidents,” the event served as an educational and dialogue platform for maritime stakeholders to strengthen their understanding of shipping lanes, potential risks, and the application of safety principles at sea. Approximately 125 participants attended, representing government institutions, security authorities, ship operators and agencies, port businesses, fishermen, and users of Batang’s waters.

Head of the Batang Class III UPP, Sugiyanto, SE, emphasized that understanding shipping lanes and potential risks is an essential part of creating safe navigation.

“Maritime safety is not solely the responsibility of the Harbourmaster or UPP, but a shared responsibility. Safety is not enough to simply understand; it must be trained, practiced, and made part of our daily habits,” he said.

He highlighted four key aspects of maritime safety: human readiness, vessel seaworthiness, the safety of users or passengers, and weather and environmental conditions. Captains and crew members must ensure their competence and readiness before sailing, while operators must ensure that vessels are seaworthy and that all safety equipment is functioning properly.

Participants also received educational sessions from several speakers. Arman, SH, MH, from the Batang Class III UPP, delivered a session entitled “Safety of Traditional Vessels,” covering vessel seaworthiness principles, the competency of captains and crew, weather and sailing-route checks, and the readiness of emergency safety equipment.

Meanwhile, Syarif Hidayat, S.St.Pi., M.Pi., from Klidang Lor Fishing Port, discussed the role of Klidang Lor Fishing Port in supporting maritime safety.

Safety education was also provided by First Sergeant (Marines) Pulung Gentono (Service No. 86899), a member of the Indonesian Navy’s Sigandu Batang Post, through a session entitled “Safety at Sea.” The session emphasized the use of life jackets, life buoys, lifeboats or life rafts, emergency signals, as well as preventive measures and water rescue procedures.

Kompol Toto Hadi Prayitno, SH, MM, Head of the Water and Air Police Unit (Satpolairud) of Batang City Police, meanwhile, delivered a session on water safety around National Vital Objects (Obvitnas). The material covered monitoring waterway activities, patrols along sea routes and around the special jetty of the Batang Power Plant, enforcement of regulations in restricted areas, emergency response, and the importance of synergy among authorities, facility operators, and communities.

From a safety perspective, fishermen were also encouraged to observe operational boundaries and avoid activities too close to facilities such as the seawater intake (water intake) pipelines and the jetty, in order to minimize accident risks and maintain safety for all parties.

Chairman of the Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI) of Batang Regency, Teguh Tarmujo, expressed his appreciation for the implementation of the maritime safety program, which he considered important in strengthening fishermen’s preparedness and safety while at sea.

“We would like to thank PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia, the Batang Class III UPP, and all relevant parties for organizing this maritime safety program. Activities like this are very important because fishing is a high-risk profession. We hope that support and collaboration to improve the safety and welfare of fishermen in Batang Regency can continue to be strengthened,” he said.

As part of the collaboration, PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI) supported the awareness campaign together with the Batang Class III UPP by contributing to maritime safety education for communities engaged in activities in Batang waters.

BPI External Relations Manager, Bagus Dona Doni, said the support was part of the company’s collaboration with the government to promote the safety of communities operating in the waters.

“Our operations as a National Vital Object cover both land and water areas. Therefore, we hope this activity can build a shared understanding among all parties to maintain and prioritize safety while conducting activities in the waters,” he said.

At the end of the event, BPI handed over life jackets to representatives of fishermen from Roban Timur Fishermen’s Group, Roban Barat Fishermen’s Group, Ujungnegoro Fishermen’s Group, and Seturi Fishermen’s Group, as support for the use of proper safety equipment in their daily fishing activities.

The collaboration among the government, security authorities, businesses, shipping operators, and communities is expected to further strengthen a Safety First culture, ensuring that safety does not stop at awareness campaigns but becomes a shared habit toward achieving safe, orderly, and zero-accident navigation in Batang waters.