TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The removal of Caledonian Sky, a Bahamas-flagged cruise ship ran aground off Raja Ampat waters, has allegedly inflicted greater damage to the coral reefs.

Papua University Pacific Water Resources Research Center director Ricardo F. Tapilatu has revised the estimate damaged coral reefs in the Raja Ampat waters from 1,600 square meters to 13,533 square meters.

According to Ricardo, greater damage was caused by the method by which the ship was removed from coral reefs. During the removal, the cruise ship was pushed and pulled in every direction.

Read: Ministers Hold Meeting on Damaged Coral Reefs in Raja Ampat

“The ship was dragged in every direction that caused greater damage to the coral reefs. The coral reefs were broken and shattered to pieces,” he said.

The Caledonian Sky cruise ship rammed into coral reefs in Raja Ampat waters at low tide on March 4. The ship belongs to tour company Noble Caledonia ran aground after completing its bird watching experience on Waigeo Island.

Noble Caledonia described the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and is willing to cooperate fully with authorities to address the issue. The vessel suffers minimal damage and it had resume sailing to Bitung, North Sulawesi.

MITRA TARIGAN