Indonesia Records MURI Award for First Seaplane Landing on Lake

Photo caption: Press conference at Media Center, Saturday (Feb. 25). Left to right: Head of North Sumatra Region II Land Transportation Management Office Batara Pardede, Director of River, Lake, and Ferry Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Ir. Junaidi, F1 Powerboat Trauma Center’s Chief Medical Officer dr. Steven Anthonis, Secretary of Transportation Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMP) of the Ministry of Transportation Heri Sudarmaji, and Director of Indonesian Aviation Academy (API) Banyuwangi Capt. Daniel Dewantoro Rumani (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Informatics)

Balige (February 25, 2023) – Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation will conduct a demonstration and trial flight of a seaplane for the first time ever over lake on the Kopiko Grand Prix of Indonesia or F1 Powerboat 2023 at Lake Toba, Indonesia. Seaplanes are expected to be one of the transportation options for tourists in the future. Two take-off and landing processes in the waters of Lake Toba will be conducted for the trial.

Ministry of Transportation's Director of River, Lake, and Ferry Transportation Ir. Junaidi conveyed at the Press Conference held at the Mulia Raja Napitupulu Port Terminal Building's Media Center (Feb. 25), that the Ministry’s Transportation Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMP) contributed to the seaplane landing. "It is planned to provide the vehicle for tourists. [It has] the capacity of four people, but in the future, we’ll have bigger capacities. This is an airplane that can land on water," said Junaidi.

The aircraft, often called an amphibian plane, was brought in from the Indonesian Aviation Academy (API) of Banyuwangi, a university owned by the Ministry of Transportation. API is the only college in Southeast Asia that provides water flight education and will produce reliable seaplane pilots.

“It’ll be the first time for lake landing. So, this will also get an award from MURI specifically for seaplanes landing in Indonesia, especially Lake Toba," said Junaidi.

BPSDMP Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Heri Sudarmaji, explained that seaplane trials in the F1 Powerboat series is conducted to promote Ministry of Transportation’s universities and see the potential for developing tourism through seaplanes.

"Also, we want to explore the potential to facilitate seaplane pilot training and tourism. So, tourists who come here don't have to spend hours by land but more quickly by seaplanes," explained Heri.

Banyuwangi API Director, Captain Daniel Dewantoro Rumani, informed us that the seaplane trial schedule is adjusted to the F1 Powerboat racing series. The trial will be carried out at 12.15-12.30 PM local time (WIB) on February 25, with Captain Pilot Demi and Captain Imam, and at 12.15-12.50 PM local time (WIB) on February 26.

"We inform you that this is the first in Indonesia. We also have made the first water airport in a water-based design on a lake," said Daniel.

Transportation Builds Infrastructure and Arranges Transportation in the Toba Area

The Mulia Raja Napitupulu Port Terminal Building in Balige which is used for Media Center and press conference room during the Lake Toba F1 Powerboat 2023 event is one of the supporting facilities built by the Ministry of Transportation. Overall, the Ministry has built 13 ports infrastructure.

"This includes Ajibata, Ambarita, Tigaras Simanindo, Silalahi, Balige, Muara, Tonggeng, and Baktiraja Port. We built ports infrastructure which become a symbol of transportation,  provided for Lake Toba specifically," said Junaidi.

In addition, the Ministry of Transportation also provided 50 shuttle buses to transport visitors and spectators to the main venue. Supporting this, the provincial government also provided 30 units of shuttle buses.

Head of the Land Transportation Management Center for Region II of North Sumatra Province, Batara Pardede, also stated that his party has coordinated with related parties to realise proper management of people’s mobilization and traffic.

"We also assist road safety facilities such as road markings, road signs, traffic cones, and water barriers for field officers carrying out traffic engineering," said Batara.

Trauma Center is led by Licensed Expert

A trauma center and medical team have been prepared to provide the necessary treatment during the Lake Toba F1 Powerboat 2023, led by licensed doctor dr. Steven Anthonis as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). He has handled trauma centers in previous competitions such as MotoGP and Superbike.

"As chief, I have to take a new license to be able to lead or be responsible for this race. It is my first time working with UIM (The Union Internationale Motonautique). I am responsible for the track medical service, the crew, and the drivers," said Steven.

Steven explained that he had formed a team that met requirements and was always in contact with the UIM's Medical Director. The team is also supported by local hospitals. “Adam Malik Hospital of Medan is the most supportive so far, with dr. Kamal as representative. I appreciate Adam Malik hospital’s support," he explained.

English editor: Penni Patmawati Rusman