BALINEWSID.COM, BULELENG – A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team has recovered the body of 17-year-old Rafles Tafa Kusuma, a crew member of Turmalin 384310, who had been reported missing after allegedly falling into the sea off Pasir Putih Banyu Wedang Beach in Pejarakan Village, Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency. The victim was found on the second day of the search operation on Thursday (July 2, 2026), approximately five meters from the location where his speedboat had previously been discovered.

The second day of the SAR operation began early in the morning, with rescuers deploying a Basarnas rubber boat carrying five personnel to conduct the first search sortie at 8:05 a.m. local time.

Search Coordinator Kadek Donny Indrawan said the marine rescue team received information from a local fisherman who had spotted what appeared to be a body floating near a mangrove area.

“At 8:05 a.m., we launched the first search sortie using a Basarnas rubber boat. During the operation, we received a report from a fisherman about a body floating near the mangroves,” Donny said.

The rescue team immediately headed to the reported location and recovered the victim, who was found lying face-up, wearing a blue shirt and blue shorts. The body was located about five meters southeast of the spot where the victim’s orange speedboat had been found stranded.

The victim was transported ashore for identification by family members. After his identity was confirmed as Rafles Tafa Kusuma, the body was taken to Buleleng Regional General Hospital (RSUD Buleleng) by a PMI Buleleng ambulance at 10:23 a.m. local time.

According to previous reports, Rafles was last seen on Monday evening (June 29) at around 9:00 p.m. leaving Turmalin 384310 aboard an orange speedboat and heading toward Pasir Putih Banyu Wedang Beach. Witnesses reported that he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time.

When the teenager failed to return to the vessel by the following day, a search was initiated after residents discovered his speedboat stranded along the shoreline. He was officially reported missing after allegedly falling into the sea in the early hours of Tuesday (June 30), at around 12:30 a.m.

The search operation involved personnel from the Buleleng Search and Rescue Post, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), Water Police units from the Buleleng Police and Bali Regional Police, the Sea and Coast Guard Unit (KPLP), Gerokgak Police, the Buleleng Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Gerokgak Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas officers, Bhuana Bali Rescue, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Buleleng, as well as the victim’s relatives and colleagues.

With the recovery of the victim, the SAR operation was officially concluded, and all participating agencies returned to their respective duties.