EKa Jaya Fast Boats - Beware Never Use Thsi Company

Portsmouth, UK
3 posts
EKa Jaya Fast Boats - Beware Never Use Thsi Company
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Hi, I wanted to notify anyone intending to book with this company.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE THEM

Myself and 2 friends were travelling on their fast boat from Bali to Gili Islands on 21 August 2010, when the captain (driving like a mad man) hit an object in the waves (possibly a rock).

They stopped the boat, fixed the engine and then carried on for a further 5-10 minutes before realising that the boat was leaking water. The boat was sinking fast.

There were not sufficient lifejackets onboard for the 35-40 passengers, no life raft either and the crew were unbelievably panicked in dealing with an emergency evacuation. (I assume because they know how bad the seas/current and tides are in this stretch).

By the sheer luck of 2 passing boats we were saved, after abandoning the boat and swimming over to them.

You must be aware that the Lombok Strait is trecherous (think Bermuda Triangle!) and therefore pick a reputable company to travel on - do not believe their Photo-Shopped marketing leaflets - you will not be travelling on the boat as advertised!

Two days on, one of my friends has still lost her luggage and ours is water logged.

Please think before you either risk your life or belongings.

Australia
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2,017 posts
1 review
4 helpful votes
1. Re: EKa Jaya Fast Boats - Beware Never Use Thsi Company
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Hi,

Thank you for taking the time to warn every future traveller to Indonesia who may have considered using this company.

Pamela

Kerobokan Kelod...
Level Contributor
11,741 posts
199 reviews
188 helpful votes
2. Re: EKa Jaya Fast Boats - Beware Never Use Thsi Company
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Hi,

I read about this, it must have been an awful experience for you all and extremely lucky that the other boats were in the area at the time. What seems equally disturbing from the report I read, was that no one at Padangbai had any idea that the sinking had occured until people were brought back to shore, it seems unbelievable that no radios were used to request assistance or some other method of seeking rescue.

Best wishes

Ubud, Indonesia
Level Contributor
2,476 posts
43 reviews
53 helpful votes
3. Re: EKa Jaya Fast Boats - Beware Never Use Thsi Company
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I've just read an account of this in the Bali Times dated (Aug 27, bottom of p5) that gives a completely different account of this incident and seems to be a complete whitewash. It says that after the boat was 'swamped' by a wave, the captain decided to 'beach the boat' on a near Bug Bug, where the passengers waited for some hours till they were rescued by boats sent from Padang Bai.. and they got wet wading through surf to reach 'ashore'.

I would very much like to hear your view of this account, Kellynorgate and would urge you to perhaps send your account to the Bali TImes.

4. Re: EKa Jaya Fast Boats - Beware Never Use Thsi Company

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