Insiden kapal kandas masih menjadi permasalahan serius dalam keselamatan pelayaran, khususnya pada alur sungai yang memiliki karakteristik sempit, berarus kuat, dan dipengaruhi pasang surut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis faktor penyebab terjadinya kandas kapal MV Selili Baru di Alur Sungai Siak serta mengidentifikasi tindakan penanganan dan upaya pencegahan untuk meningkatkan keselamatan navigasi pelayaran sungai. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Data diperoleh melalui observasi langsung, wawancara semi-terstruktur dengan awak kapal, serta analisis dokumen kapal berupa logbook dan berita acara kejadian. Analisis data dilakukan melalui tahapan reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa insiden kandas disebabkan oleh kombinasi faktor internal dan eksternal. Faktor internal didominasi oleh human error, terutama ketidaktepatan perhitungan pasang surut, lemahnya komunikasi di anjungan, serta tidak dilaksanakannya safety meeting sebelum memasuki alur sempit. Faktor eksternal meliputi arus sungai yang kuat, perubahan kedalaman akibat pasang surut, serta karakteristik alur Sungai Siak yang sempit dan berbelok tajam. Tindakan awak kapal setelah kejadian kandas telah sesuai dengan prosedur keselamatan, meliputi plotting posisi kapal, sounding kedalaman dan tangki, serta pemeriksaan potensi kebocoran. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa peningkatan keselamatan navigasi di alur sungai berisiko tinggi memerlukan perencanaan pelayaran yang lebih akurat, penerapan Bridge Resource Management, serta peningkatan kedisiplinan dan kesiapsiagaan awak kapal. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi referensi bagi perusahaan pelayaran, kru kapal, dan institusi pendidikan maritim dalam mencegah insiden kandas pada pelayaran sungai.

Grounding incidents remain a critical issue in maritime safety, particularly in river channels characterized by narrow waterways, strong currents, and tidal influences. This study aims to analyze the factors causing the grounding of MV Selili Baru in the Siak River channel and to identify the response actions and preventive measures to enhance inland waterway navigational safety. A descriptive qualitative method with a case study approach was employed. Data were collected through direct observation, semi-structured interviews with the ship’s crew, and analysis of ship documents, including logbooks and official incident reports. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate that the grounding incident was caused by a combination of internal and external factors. Internal factors were dominated by human error, particularly inaccurate tidal calculations, ineffective bridge communication, and the absence of a safety meeting prior to entering the confined channel. External factors included strong river currents, tidal-induced depth variations, and the narrow and sharply curved characteristics of the Siak River channel. The crew’s actions following the grounding complied with established safety procedures, including position plotting, depth and tank sounding, and leak inspections. This study concludes that improving navigational safety in high-risk river channels requires more accurate voyage planning, effective implementation of Bridge Resource Management, and enhanced crew discipline and preparedness. The findings are expected to serve as a reference for shipping companies, ship crews, and maritime education institutions in preventing grounding incidents in inland waterways.