DENPARSAR, 3 August 2018: Speedboat transfers between Bali and Lombok islands continue to be suspended at least until 6 August according to the latest update from Asian Trails.
The company also confirmed that following last week’s earthquake and the landslide on Mount Rinjani, treks to the volcano crater have stopped until further notice.
Speedboat transfers resumed for a short period, 31 July and 1 August, before the ban on small boat sailings was reinstated as weather conditions deteriorated in the straits between Bali and Lombok islands. Now authorities say that depending on sea conditions the boat services might resume on Monday at the earliest.
Flights remain the only practical options, although seats direct flights from Denpasar to Lombok are fully booked over the next few days.
Some flights routing through Jakarta remain open for bookings, according to Asian Trails update to its travel partners.
Due to the potential discomfort, long transport times and the likelihood of delays, the company said it was not recommending local ferries unless no other option exists.
Lombok’s Mount Rinjani is one of the most popular trek options for travellers visiting the island. Around 500 trekkers, many of them from Southeast Asia with around 100 from Thailand, were stranded on the upper slopes of volcano when the earthquake and landslides occurred.
SPEEDBOATS WORKING AS TRANSPORT BOATS FOR PASSENGERS AND TOURS IN INDONESIA
Indonesia follows the IMO (International Maritime Organization).
On the picture, We can see clearly the transport speedboats fitted with life-rafts on the speedboat roofs.
Those speedboats are doing the shuttles between Bali and Lombok islands.
Why in Thailand, all speedboats to transport tourists do not have life-rafts as it is compulsory to be at international standards?
?⛴️???⛴️?