Australian boat stranded in East Nusa Tenggara waters

Antara ,  Kupang   |  Tue, 08/19/2008 3:38 PM  |  National

An Australian boat on its way to Darwin from Benoa port in the Indonesian resort island of Bali
was found stranded in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) waters near Kupang, Tenau port administration spokesman Pieter HB said here on Tuesday.

He said the boat, bearing the name "Bahahuta", was sailing under the Australian flag when it was hit by huge waves and got stranded in Timor waters because of a problem with its steering
device.

Pieter added that the ill-fated boat had been towed by an Indonesian naval boat to Tenau port in Kupang.

"After a coordination with the Indonesian Navy, the Australian boat was towed by KRI Suluhpari-809 to Tenau port here on Monday," Pieter said, as qouted by Antara.

He said the boat's captain, Jean Jagues Prieto, and two other crew members were unharmed and they were still in Kupang to have their ship repaired.

"There is no problem with the captain and the crew members. They are repairing the boat and when they have finished, they will return to the Australian Northern Territorial city of Darwin," Pieter said.

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