Jakarta, Aug. 3 -- State-owned downstream energy subsidiary Pertamina Patra Niaga's tanker MT Transko Arafura rescued 17 survivors Sunday from the passenger ferry Mutiara Sentosa II after it caught fire in the Java Sea off East Java.

The rescue took place about 19 nautical miles north of Sapudi Island, East Java, after the ferry caught fire over the weekend.

Pertamina Patra Niaga Vice President of Corporate Communication Kitty Andhora said Monday that the Transko Arafura, commanded by Capt. Hans Kurniadi Sofyan, changed course after receiving an emergency alert.

"Working with Basarnas, authorities and nearby vessels, the MT Transko Arafura crew successfully evacuated 17 people," Kitty said in a statement.

The joint search-and-rescue o...