Jessica Vashty, a 23-year-old Indonesian divemaster, remains missing after the tourist dive boat KM Feronia capsized and sank in Komodo National Park on October 13, 2026. The tragic incident occurred near Tatawa Besar Island, where strong ocean currents reportedly overturned the vessel. Although 29 people were rescued, Jessica was the only person unaccounted for. Indonesian authorities conducted an extensive 10-day search before officially suspending operations on October 22, 2026, without locating her or the sunken boat.
Who Was Jessica Vashty?
Veronica Beatrix Jessica Vashty was a 23-year-old Indonesian diving professional from Jakarta. She worked as a divemaster for Dive Tribe, a diving company operating in Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia’s popular marine tourism destinations.
Her responsibilities involved assisting tourists during diving excursions, supporting underwater activities and helping ensure safe diving experiences.
Jessica was working aboard the KM Feronia when the vessel encountered dangerous sea conditions during a tourist excursion.
Her disappearance has deeply affected the local diving community, particularly those working around Komodo National Park.
What Happened to Jessica?
The incident occurred on October 13, 2026, when KM Feronia was returning toward Marina Labuan Bajo after a diving excursion.
The wooden, traditional Indonesian-style tourist boat had reportedly visited Rinca Island and Manta Point earlier that day.
There were 30 people aboard, including international tourists, diving personnel and crew members.
While passing near Tatawa Besar Island, the vessel reportedly encountered a powerful swirling current.
The captain struggled to maintain control as the boat tilted sharply toward its left side.
Within a short period, KM Feronia capsized and began sinking, leaving passengers and crew struggling to escape.
Why Was Jessica Trapped?
Investigators later examined witness accounts to understand why Jessica was unable to escape alongside the other passengers.
According to preliminary findings from the Manggarai Barat Marine Police, Jessica was reportedly inside the boat’s portside bathroom when the vessel overturned.
The bathroom door was locked from the inside, making it difficult for others to reach her.
As the vessel tilted onto its port side, the bathroom became particularly vulnerable to flooding.
Two fellow divers reportedly attempted to force the door open using a crowbar.
However, the boat was sinking rapidly, and their efforts were unsuccessful.
Jessica could not be reached before the vessel disappeared beneath the water.
These details were based on survivor testimony and preliminary investigative findings rather than a completed reconstruction of the accident.
How Many Were Rescued?
Despite the sudden sinking, nearby vessels responded quickly to the emergency.
Two fast boats, identified as Red Whale and Mac Cruise, arrived to assist passengers and crew members who had entered the water.
Rescuers helped survivors reach safety while emergency personnel coordinated further assistance.
Of the 30 people reportedly aboard KM Feronia, 29 survived and were rescued.
Jessica was the only person who remained missing.
Her absence reportedly became clear after the captain and surviving crew conducted a headcount.
The successful rescue of the other passengers highlighted the speed of the emergency response, but Jessica’s disappearance left the incident with a devastating unresolved outcome.
Search for Jessica
Following the accident, Indonesian authorities launched a coordinated maritime search.
The operation was led by the Maumere Search and Rescue Agency, known as Basarnas, with support from several organizations.
Approximately 76 personnel participated, including members of the Indonesian Navy, maritime police and professional diving teams.
Search crews examined surrounding waters, investigated possible debris locations and attempted to identify the position of the sunken vessel.
The operation was particularly challenging because of strong currents, underwater conditions and the depth of the surrounding seabed.
Rescuers continued their efforts for 10 days, hoping to locate Jessica or discover evidence that could explain the vessel’s final position.
What Did Rescuers Find?
Search teams used specialized underwater equipment to investigate the area.
Side-scan sonar and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) were deployed to examine seabed locations reportedly reaching depths of approximately 80 to 84 metres.
These technologies allowed rescuers to inspect areas that would be difficult and dangerous for ordinary diving operations.
During the search, authorities recovered a lifejacket and scuba tank associated with KM Feronia near Padar Island.
However, neither discovery established the precise location of the vessel.
Despite extensive underwater examinations, rescuers did not locate Jessica or confirm the position of the boat’s wreckage.
The absence of a confirmed wreck location made the investigation and recovery efforts more complicated.
Why Was the Search Stopped?
Indonesian authorities officially ended the active search on October 22, 2026, following 10 days of unsuccessful operations.
The decision came after search teams had examined multiple locations without finding Jessica.
Officials indicated that the operation could resume if credible new information or evidence emerged.
Although the organized search was suspended, local maritime police continued monitoring the surrounding waters during routine patrols.
Fishing crews and tourist boat operators were also encouraged to report suspicious floating objects or possible debris.
Suspending the search did not mean Jessica had been found or that her fate had been officially established.
Latest Missing Update
As of November 6, 2026, Jessica Vashty remains missing, with no publicly confirmed recovery reported in the information available.
She is feared dead because of the circumstances of the sinking, but her death has not been independently confirmed through recovery or identification.
The precise location of KM Feronia also remains unconfirmed in the reported search findings.
The incident has raised concerns about the dangers of powerful currents around Komodo National Park and the importance of emergency preparedness aboard tourist diving vessels.
For Jessica’s family, colleagues and the wider diving community, the uncertainty continues.
Jessica Vashty was the only person missing after 29 others escaped the KM Feronia sinking. Until new evidence emerges, the unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance remain at the centre of this tragic maritime accident.
