The sea is constantly moving. A person, a small vessel, or any floating object will rarely remain at the last known location once contact has been lost. Currents, tides, winds, and waves can collectively transport an object far from its original position.
ANTARA News reported on 9 September 2026 that a joint search and rescue operation was being conducted across the Sunda Strait, from Sebesi Island toward the Krakatau area, following the loss of contact with five journalists and three crew members aboard a speedboat.
Search activities covered waters around Krakatau Besar, Krakatau Kecil, and Sertung Island, while conditions around Anak Krakatau also had to be considered during field operations.
Read the ANTARA News article: Tim SAR Sisir Perairan Krakatau Cari Jurnalis yang Hilang Kontak
How can CORZ contribute?
In situations like this, oceanographic modelling can provide supporting information for search analysis, particularly when a reliable last known position and time are available.
CORZ Indonesia can apply hydrodynamic modelling combined with particle tracking or drift simulation. Virtual particles can be released from the last known area and their movement simulated under the influence of currents, tides, wind, and wave-related transport.
Because the initial position and environmental conditions always contain uncertainty, such modelling should not be expected to predict one exact final location. A more realistic approach is to generate zones of probable movement, which can evolve over time.
These results may provide additional scientific information to help identify areas that deserve greater attention during search planning.
Numerical modelling does not replace Basarnas or official search-and-rescue procedures. Instead, it can complement operational information by improving understanding of how the marine environment may transport people or floating objects from their last known position.
CORZ Indonesia has capabilities in current modelling and particle tracking that can support drift analysis, floating-object tracking, and other marine transport studies.
