UK cruise ship damages pristine Indonesian coral reef

Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/03/14/indonesian-coral-reef.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">The Caledonian Sky cruise ship slammed into the reefs at low tide around Kri, one of hundreds of small islands in a pristine region of Indonesia. <cite>AFP</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div>A British-owned cruise ship has smashed into pristine coral reefs, causing extensive damage in a remote corner of Indonesia known as one of the world&#x27;s most bio-diverse marine habitats, researchers and officials said Tuesday.Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia has long been a top attraction for intrepid travellers and avid divers, home to palm-fringed islands surrounded by an underwater kaleidoscope of coral and fish.But the 4,200-ton Caledonian Sky slammed into the reefs at low tide around Kri, one of hundreds of small islands in Raja Ampat, earlier this month after taking the tourists aboard on a bird-watching expedition.The boat, which was carrying 102 passengers and 79 crew, became grounded on the reefs and had to be refloated by a tug boat before continuing on its journey.The accident has damaged an estimated 13,500 square metres (145,000 square feet) of coral reef which could cost up to $16.2 million to restore, according to Ricardo Tapilatu, a marine researcher from the University of Papua who headed a team assessing the impact.There has been outrage in the local tourism industry which relies on Raja Ampat&#x27;s natural wonders for its survival.&quot;How can this happen? Was a 12-year-old at the wheel?&quot; Stay Raja Ampat, a website that links tourists up with homestays, said on its Facebook page.&quot;Anchor damage from ships like these is bad enough, but actually grounding a ship on a reef takes it to a whole new level.&quot;Head of Raja Ampat&#x27;s tourism agency Yusdi Lamatenggo confirmed the accident, which took place on March 4.Environmental group Conservation International said that the Bahamas-flagged ship had gone into an area that it should not have entered due to the unique coral reefs.&quot;This is a very, very big loss for us,&quot; Victor Nikijuluw, the marine programme director at Conservational International Indonesia, told AFP.The ship&#x27;s operator, Britain-based tour company Noble Caledonia, said in a statement to the Jakarta Post newspaper that it is &quot;firmly committed to the protection of the environment and as such deeply regrets any damage caused to the reef&quot;.The Indonesian government said it was assessing the damage and would seek compensation from the operator.The remote archipelago of Raja Ampat -- which means Four Kingdoms in Indonesian -- lies between the Pacific and Indian oceans. A 2002 report from Conservation International said it was home to nearly 1,400 varieties of fish and 603 species of coral.

A British-owned cruise ship has smashed into pristine coral reefs, causing extensive damage in a remote corner of Indonesia known as one of the world's most bio-diverse marine habitats, researchers and officials said Tuesday.

A British-owned cruise ship has smashed into pristine coral reefs, causing extensive damage in a remote corner of Indonesia known as one of the world's most bio-diverse marine habitats, researchers and officials said Tuesday.

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UK cruise ship damages pristine Indonesian coral reef

UK cruise ship damages pristine Indonesian coral reef

Agence France-Presse

Published Mar 14, 2017 05:41 PM PHT

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cruise ship

Indonesia

Caledonian Sky Cruise

Raja Ampat

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