Ferry Check: East Nusa Tenggara

Over the years I have travelled on a lot of ferries, some old and some not so old, and in general they are an excellent way to travel inter-island, especially in East Nusa Tenggara. If flying is not your greatest passion then you should try these ferries as they are a cheaper alternative and much more adventurous.

The Indonesian-language daily Kompas reported that 5 of the 16 ferries operating between the ports of Padang Bai in Bali and Lembar in Lombok have been withdrawn from service following safety audits conducted by the Department of Sea Communications as Bali Discovery reports.

According to the Port Administrator in Lembar, Lombok. Liliik Hariwanto, his office is tightening scrutiny on all ships’ traffic following recent shipping disasters over the past months. Among the measures now focused upon by port safety officers is the completeness of safety equipment carried on board each ship, inspection of main engines, adequate supply of life preservers and fire fighting equipment.

Based on recent audits, 5 Bali-Lombok ferries were recently declared un-seaworthy and ordered to remain in port pending a complete docking service to correct safety deficiencies. The 5 ferries place temporarily out of service are:

Nusa Penida

Nusa Sejahtera

Putri Gianyar

Nusa Bhakti

Palindo Nusantara I

Despite the temporary loss of 5 of the 16 ferries operating between Bali and Lombok, ferry service between the two islands is reported to be operating without interruption related to the sudden loss of vessel to the cross-straits armada