Namanya Sophie Rickmers, 94 tahun, dan cantik luar biasa. Sayang, dalam waktu singkat, akan hilang.

Sophie adalah kapal bermesin uap buatan Jerman 1920. Karam di perairan Sabang, Aceh, pada Perang Dunia II. Tahun 1940, Sophie ditenggelamkan oleh krunya, demi mencegah penyitaan oleh Belanda. Sekarang, ia menjadi sumber kehidupan, terumbu karang, dan lokasi bergengsi wisata selam.

Masalahnya, Pemerintah Kota (Pemko) Sabang berencana membangun bunker minyak bawah laut di teluk itu. Sebuah bunker minyak raksasa untuk layani kapal-kapal besar yang melintas tak jauh dari perairan itu beberapa waktu yang lalu.

Pada tanggal 31 Oktober 2014, Walikota Sabang sudah menyurati Bu Susi Pudjiastuti, Menteri Kelautan dan Perikanan perihal Surat Permohonan Izin Survey dan Rekomendasi Barang Muatan Kapal Tenggelam. Ini berarti Kapal Kargo Sophie Rickmens yang sudah tidur selama 74 tahun akan diambil isinya.

Bangkai kapal dan isinya di dasar perairan adalah sumber ilmu pengetahuan yang menguak sejarah pertempuran besar di masa karamnya kapal. Ia menjadi habitat beragam jenis ikan, invertebrata, dan alga, membuat Sophie bagaikan surga para penyelam di Asia Tenggara. Oh ya, coba kamu menyelam di sini, pasti menantang dan mengasyikkan! Ruang kemudi kapal saja baru nampak di kedalaman 55 meter.

Yuk tandatangani petisi ini untuk minta Bu Susi mencegah rencana pembongkaran Sophie. Jika Sophie dibongkar, maka akibatnya buruk bagi keanekaragaman hayati, pariwisata, penghidupan nelayan, dan pengetahuan sejarah.

Kalau kita tanya Pemko Sabang dan BPKS mereka selalu menyatakan komitmen mengembangkan potensi pariwisata dan kekayaan hayati. Kali ini komitmen itu terancam.

Bunker kapal minyak raksasa tentu menghasilkan uang berlimpah. Tapi, haruskah ditukar dengan hilangnya sejarah wisata laut, keragaman hayati, dan sumber kehidupan warga nelayan? Haruskah Sabang kehilangan identitasnya sebagai surga selam? Lalu, jika semua itu hilang bersama 'terkunci mati'-nya Sophie, apa warisan kita pada generasi Sabang nanti?

Tandatangi dan sebar ya petisi ini, agar Bu Susi mencegah pembongkaran Sophie!#SaveSophie,

Nunu Husein

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Mrs. Susi, please prevent excavation of Sophie, save Sabang Seas and the heritage of Indonesia #SaveSophie

Her name is Sophie Rickmers, 94 years old, and incredibly beautiful. Unfortunately, she will be gone shortly.

Sophie is a steam-powered ships made in Germany 1920. Sink in the waters of Sabang, Aceh, during World War II. Sophie scuttled by her own crew around 1940, in order to prevent foreclosure by the Dutch. Now, she lays in flat soft sandbed at 65 m sea depth and became the sources of life, coral reefs, and the prestigious location of dive tourism.

The issue now that the City Government of Sabang plans to build an oil bunker in the Sabang bay, where Sophie were resting in peace. A giant oil bunker to serves the large shipping industry of the International Shipping Line that cross through Sabang waters.

On October 31, 2014, the Mayor of Sabang has written a letter to Mrs. Susi Pudjiastuti, Minister of Marine and Fisheries, concerning application for survey permit and recommendations to salvage the wreck ship cargo goods. It means that Sophie Rickmens who've been sleeping for 74 years would be ripped and extracted for only a few person profits.

Let's sign this petition and ask Mrs. Susi to help us prevent the exvacation plan of Sophie. If Sophie were dismantled, then the bad consequences will affect all sectors that Sabang were proud of it, tourism, diving industry, marine biodiversity, fresh seafood, subsistence fishermen, and knowledge of history.

Sophie Wreck and its contents in the bottom sea are a source of knowledge that reveals the history of major battles during the ship life. She now became a habitat for a variety of species of fish, invertebrates, and algae, making Sophie a diver's paradise as the Best Wreck Diving in Southeast Asia. Come and dive here with Sophie, and we guarantee that you will instantly fall in love with Her. While not many diver can come and visit Sophie, the dive is certainly challenging and fun! Ships Wheelhouse can be found at a depth of 55 meters.

When we asked the City Government of Sabang and BPKS (Concession Agency for Sabang Area), their mission is to expressed a commitment to develop and promote the tourism business potential and biological richness of Sabang. This time, the whole commitment is threatened.

Giant oil bunker will make a huge amount of money. But, should be exchanged with the loss of crystal clear sea? white soft sand beach? the marine biodiversity? marine richness and fish spawning area? sea history? and the source of life of the fishermen? Should Sabang lose its identity as one of Indonesia diving paradise? Then, when all was lost along with Sophie, what will be our heritage for our children and Sabang next generations?

Please sign and spread this petition, Lets rise and help Mrs. Susi to prevent Excavation of Sophie! #SaveSophie

Nunu Husein

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