KLUNGKUNG, Bali — A fully equipped sea ambulance has begun operating in Bali to provide faster medical transfers between the islands of Klungkung and hospitals on the main island.

The Nusa Medica Sea Ambulance was launched at Bias Munjul Port on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and will serve both local residents and tourists who require further medical treatment.

Klungkung Regent I Made Satria said the regency faces particular challenges in providing emergency healthcare because its territory includes Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

“When there is a medical emergency, delays often occur. The same happens during disasters, accidents and other emergencies,” Satria said.

He said tourists visiting the islands can also face delays when urgent medical treatment or evacuation is required.

Satria welcomed the new service, saying it could help reduce delays in transporting patients to hospitals.

The sea ambulance is equipped with a ventilator, patient monitor, oxygen supply and other medical equipment to support patients during transfers. Evacuations are accompanied by trained and certified medical personnel.

I Gde Yudha Kurniawan, operational director of PT Nusa Medica Assistama, said the service was designed to speed up referrals from clinics and other primary healthcare facilities to hospitals offering more advanced treatment.

“The main purpose of the Sea Ambulance is to accelerate the referral process for patients from clinics or primary medical facilities to referral hospitals,” Yudha said.

The service currently covers routes from Nusa Lembongan to Sanur and Padang Bai, as well as from Nusa Penida to Sanur and Padang Bai.

Nusa Medica also plans to expand the service to Gili Air and Gili Trawangan in neighboring West Nusa Tenggara.

Yudha said patients who may require sea ambulance transfers include those with head injuries, fractures, severe dehydration, heart conditions and other conditions requiring further hospital treatment.

He said the vessel is equipped to standards set by Indonesia’s health and transportation authorities.

Satria said the Klungkung administration had previously considered developing its own sea ambulance but had been unable to proceed because of budget constraints. Boats had instead been hired when emergency transfers were needed.

The new sea ambulance can currently transport one patient at a time.

Ridho Ananda, call center manager at Nusa Medica Assistama, said the vessel is powered by three Yamaha engines with a combined output of 750 horsepower.

The vessel measures 11.1 meters long and 2.7 meters wide and is stationed at Bias Munjul Port, where it remains on standby 24 hours a day, subject to sea conditions and patient safety requirements.