Bridging the Transportation Safety Gap in Lake Toba: Business Liability, Bankruptcy Risk, and Regulatory Governance After the KM Sinar Bangun Disaster

Christopher Panal Lumban Gaol; Ratna D E Sirait; Irene Patricia Sianipar

doi:10.55227/ijhess.v6i2.2553

Authors

Christopher Panal Lumban Gaol Faculty Of Law, St. Thomas Catholic University, Indonesia
Ratna D E Sirait Faculty Of Law, St. Thomas Catholic University, Indonesia
Irene Patricia Sianipar Faculty Of Law, St. Thomas Catholic University, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v6i2.2553

Keywords:

Lake Toba, Bankruptcy, Business liability, Regulatory Governance, Law in Action

Abstract

The safety of water transportation in Lake Toba is closely connected to public protection, regional economic activities, and tourism development. The sinking of KM Sinar Bangun on June 18, 2018, exposed weaknesses in lake transportation management and supervision, particularly regarding passenger capacity, manifests, safety equipment, and regulatory compliance. This study analyzes the effectiveness of crossing ship safety management and supervision in Lake Toba after the tragedy and identifies gaps between the regulatory framework and its implementation. This research employs an empirical legal method using a law-in-action approach. Primary data were obtained through interviews and field observations at major crossing ports, particularly Tigaras and Simanindo, while secondary data were collected through legal and literature studies, including transportation regulations and official investigation documents. The findings indicate improvements in passenger capacity control, mandatory manifests, operating-hour restrictions, weather monitoring, institutional supervision, and departure procedures. Nevertheless, safety implementation remains suboptimal. Significant gaps persist in land-to-ship communication, safety equipment readiness, continuous supervision, institutional coordination, and compliance by operators and passengers. These findings demonstrate that transportation safety involves not only technical and regulatory aspects but also business responsibility, institutional governance, law enforcement, and safety culture. Strengthening safety therefore requires integrated technology-based monitoring, enforcement, institutional, and operator accountability.

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