A NUMBER of maritime disasters seemed to signal the start of 2009’s season of storms and high waves. The sinking of the Teratai Prima ferry carrying 253 passengers off Majene in West Sulawesi two weeks ago, claimed the largest number of victims. As of last Thursday, only 35 people have been rescued, and 14 people died. The fate of the other passengers is not known.

The bad weather predicted had been reported by the Meteorology, Climatology &