The littering passangers and the scattered trashes on ‘Awu’ Motor Boat

"... Attention to all passengers not to litter onboard, please throw the trashes in the provided rubbish bins", was one of the messages heard on the speakers on Awu passanger ship. This notice is always communicated by ship officers where ever they depart from the visited ports, covering Waingapu, Bima and Benoa.

Having voyage with Awu from Waingapu to Surabaya, the writer experienced uncomfortable things because the ship was so dirty, its garbages were scattered everywhere, such as plastic cups, instant noodle cups, beverage bottles, cigarette butts and other rubbishes. Formerly, the writer thought that the ship is clean, but the reality was not as imagined.

Awu is one ship belongs to PT Pelni, a company that manages sea transportation in Indonesia. Awu is a product from a shipyard in Papenburg, Germany in 1991 with 6.000 Gross tons (GT) heaviness, 99.80 m dimension lenght, 18.00 m width, and 15.00 Knots cruise speed. It is capable to carry 969 passengers, similar with Sirimau and Tatamailau motor boat. The name of Awu itself is taken from the name of the mountain in Sangihe Talaud islands, North Sulawesi.

This ship usually serves passenger mobility and goods distribution among islands in Indonesia, especially the shipping lines of Kalabahi (Alor), Tenau (Kupang), Ende (Flores), Waingapu (Sumba), Bima (Sumbawa), Benoa (Bali), Surabaya (East Java) and Kumai (Central Kalimantan). Looking the route, it is apparent that Awu has significant existence to connect these areas so that the ship had to be well maintained. This is not only the responsibility of the ship company but also the passengers. It is important that everyone has to be aware of cleanliness starting from oneself, such as throwing trash in the rubbish bins.

Various efforts were made by the ship officers to maintain this ship, especially its cleanliness. They provided rubbish bins in several places and every morning they clean the ship by transporting trash and mopping the ship’s deck. Unfortunately, some passengers keep littering. They just think how to throw away trash in their hands immediately even throw it into the sea! It showed that many passengers were less aware and even they ignored the importance of cleanliness. Worse, it was proven when the writer reminded one of the passengers who threw rubbish into the sea, "Why do you throw the garbage into the sea?" He gave no responses, even walked away and the garbage was thrown into the sea.

In addition, it needs a strict action from ship officers so that passengers are aware on ship cleanliness, for example, giving direct warning, sanctions for passengers who are caught red handed throwing trash into the sea. Each passenger is responsible to remind others to maintain the ship’s cleanliness.

Feeling comfort during the voyage is the hope of ship officers and passengers, so both are responsible to implement it, started from cleanliness, passenger will feel comfort and the sea remains clean. Hopefully. (Vebiati Lende).