Jakarta, Aug. 19 -- Chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Vice Marshal Mohammad Syafii, called for the optimization of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and stronger inter-ship communication to improve search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea.

Syafii said the move is part of Basarnas' evaluation following a number of recent sea transportation accidents.

"EPIRBs should be activated during emergencies, as this would make it easier for us to conduct SAR operations," Syafii said during a working meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V here on Wednesday.

He said Basarnas has found that EPIRBs had not been optimally utilized in several accidents it had handled.

In addition to eme...