Indonesia vows action after UK cruise ship ruins coral reef

SORONG: Indonesia on Wednesday vowed to take action after a British-owned cruise ship smashed into pristine coral reefs and caused extensive damage, as residents of the popular tourist site lamented “paradise” had been ruined.
The vice president demanded that the Caledonian Sky’s operator pay compensation as authorities said a criminal act could have been committed and they may seek the extradition of the ship’s captain.
Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse marine habitats on Earth, and attracts intrepid travelers and divers to its palm-fringed islands surrounded by coral and fish.
The accident happened this month when the 4,200-ton ship smashed into the reefs at low tide around Kri, one of hundreds of small islands in Raja Ampat, after taking tourists on a bird-watching expedition.
The boat, which was carrying 102 passengers and 79 crew, became grounded on the reefs and only refloated later on a high tide. Numerous attempts to free it using a tug boat failed, and only caused further damage to the corals.
Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said that the devastation of the reef “will not be tolerated.”