Indonesian rescuers are assessing plans to turn the capsized Virgo Transport 8 upright so its interior can be searched, with 129 people still missing following the disaster in the Java Sea.
The National Search and Rescue Agency, known as Basarnas, and the Indonesian Navy are working with domestic and international specialists to determine how the vessel can be stabilised and righted.
As of 17 September 2026, authorities had accounted for 114 of the 243 people listed aboard the ferry. A total of 108 people survived, six deaths were confirmed and 129 remained missing.
Those figures had not changed since the vessel capsized during the early hours of 13 September.
Righting operation remains under assessment
Basarnas chief Mohammad Syafii said specialists would assess the condition and position of the wreck before deciding which equipment and method should be used.
The proposed operation could involve securing the ferry, turning it upright, searching and evacuating anyone found inside and subsequently towing the vessel away for investigation.
One option being considered is the use of inflatable airbags to help rotate the overturned ship. Equipment may need to be brought to the scene from Surabaya, Kalimantan or elsewhere, depending on the specialists' findings.
Syafii said the salvage work might take approximately 24 hours if each stage proceeded smoothly, although the operation could take longer if complications arose.
The plan had not entered its execution phase when this article was prepared. It remained dependent upon the technical assessment, equipment availability and conditions at sea.
Strong currents force divers to withdraw
Two Indonesian Navy diving teams began an underwater search on 16 September but were forced to withdraw after encountering currents approaching seven knots.
Syafii said diving is recommended only when currents are below approximately 1.5 knots. Persistent high waves and powerful currents have repeatedly prevented teams from safely entering and searching the vessel.
Some evidence recovered during the attempted dives is being passed to Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee, or KNKT, which is investigating the accident. Officials have not disclosed the nature of that material.
Aircraft and vessels have continued searching the surrounding sea, but Wednesday's air and surface operations did not locate any additional survivors or casualties.
International specialists join salvage planning
Basarnas said experts from Hong Kong and the United States were joining Indonesian specialists to widen the available options for managing the wreck and searching its interior.
Teams were expected to conduct aerial observations before meeting in Banjarmasin to consider the ship's condition, the required resources and whether righting the vessel could be carried out safely.
Basarnas described salvage as a contingency response if the underwater search remains impossible because of the sea conditions.
Ferry found overturned in the Java Sea
Virgo Transport 8 departed Surabaya in East Java on 12 September for a scheduled journey of approximately 20 hours to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
The ferry encountered bad weather and lost contact before being found capsized in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea at approximately 1am on 13 September.
Authorities said the vessel overturned around 80 nautical miles, or 150 kilometres, from Banjarmasin. It subsequently drifted approximately 450 metres and was lying in water around 29 metres deep.
The cause of the capsize has not been established. The KNKT investigation will examine the technical and operational circumstances surrounding the accident.
Transport ministry examines ferry's import history
Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation has separately said it will investigate questions surrounding the process through which the ageing ferry entered the country.
A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives raised concerns that the vessel was reportedly around 38 years old when imported and about 39 years old when it capsized.
Deputy Transport Minister Suntana said the matter required further examination. He also cautioned that the ship's age had not been established as a cause of the accident and that technical and operational factors remained under investigation.
Under Indonesian maritime law, the vessel's owner may be required to remove or tow the wreck if it obstructs a shipping lane.
Search continues for 129 people
Search teams are continuing air and surface operations while the technical salvage assessment proceeds.
Because the situation remains active, the number of missing people and the planned recovery method may change as authorities release further information.
Deck7 will update this report if Basarnas begins the righting operation or confirms a change to the casualty figures.