LancasterLad

Just hit the news...

http://www.smh.com.au/world/tourist-...17-1055v1.html

Hope some more are rescued, and that the ferry had been fit for purpose.

Kathie

A sad and all-too-frequent occurrence. This is why marmot recommends avoiding the Indonesian ferries.

LancasterLad

What are the alternatives to get to Nusa Lembongan, or The Gillies?

Kathie

The Gillis are quite close to Lombok and most people just take a small private boat. I don't think there are ferries to the Gillis. Don't know about Nusa Lembongan.

LancasterLad

My research tells me there are a lot unregulated operators, with untrained crews,insufficient and poorly maintained safety equipment, and overloaded with passengers and goods.

Kathie

Yes.

rhkkmk

try one and let us know how it was

LancasterLad

Looks like most of the passengers are safe...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...sts-sinks.html

Definitely a mode of travel that shouldn't be taken without taking a few personal risk assessments beforehand.

Prachuap

Maybe stick to shorter trips and pay more for better boats.

marmot

As of this afternoon all but 2 foreign passengers are safe.

This was a private charter, not a public ferry. Live-aboard charters from Bali and Lombok to Komodo which combine sightseeing with diving are quite common, varying from luxurious to low overhead. It's a three day journey, and rough seas are not uncommon. Most charters have good safety reputations and are outfitted for emergency response. The details of what happened here haven't fully come out yet, but it sounds like this boat not unprepared to deal with an emergency situation.

The Gilis can be reached from Bali (about 2 hours+) and from Lombok (15 to 30 minutes depending on the island). They are served by many reputable private companies, and the safety record has been generally good. Do your research before you choose your operator.

Nusa Lemgongan is near Sanur. There are several options from small, fast boats to large, slow ferries. Again, this is a generally safe journey, but service and reliability vary. On many boats you have to be prepared to wade ashore in water that may be knee deep or waist deep and choppy.

Basically, the strait between Bali and Lombok is known for high seas and treacherous currents, especially during stormy weather. Most boat operators will cancel crossings when weather conditions are unfavorable, but many just take the chance.

Scoot Fast Cruises is one that is often recommended, but I haven't used them myself.

LancasterLad

Bigger is better. Slower perhaps, but a bigger vessel will deal with open seas much better than over-powered small speedboat types.

Small boats can be unpleasant due to the ceaseless pounding through the surf, and fumes from the noisy outboard motors.

Check for safety equipment. Just because the advert advertises life preservers/jackets doesn't mean that they haven't been removed to make way for more passengers/profit!

Avoid overcrowding. More people than seats, and passageways crammed with luggage are death traps.

Make yourself aware where the exits are. There might only be one.

Don't sit on the roof of a fast boat. It might look like care-free fun, but get bounced off and you'll be in danger.

Use common sense. If the weather looks dodgy, or the boat isn't like the one you saw in the brochure then give it a miss.

I think I'll spend a while down at the Sanur ferry pier next month.

LancasterLad

Another cautionary tale.

This happened a couple of days ago.

http://instagram.com/p/vFaUkyAS7i/?modal=true

The passenger speedboat had just left Nusa Lembonga heading for Sanur. No fatalities, but all the passengers lost their luggage.

Good job the boat was so close to other boats, and that the weather was favourable.