speaking to the captain , the 1999 boat was evaluated by the transport minister on december 9 and was certified to be in satisfactory conditions . " it appears that due to the weather situations the chance is little , but we still hope , " djamal stated . with 17 crew mates , and nearly 200 tons of cargo , the ill - conceived pt er arbi owner and operated ferry sank so fast that the crew " had no chance to ask the passengers to wear safety jackets . "
An Indonesian ferry with 300 passengers sank.