Indonesia Expects Bahamas to Join Probe into Coral Reef Damage
17 March 2017 11:06 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A. Tonny Budiono, director general of sea transportation for the Transportation Ministry, said that Indonesia expects the Bahamas to join the probe into MV Caledonian Sky that ran aground in Raja Ampat, Papua, causing damage to coral reefs. The ministry has sent a letter requesting the launch of a joint investigation.
“Directorate general of sea transportation has sent a letter to the maritime authority of the Bahamas as the flag state of the ship,” Tonny stated yesterday in a press release.
The cruise ship belongs to tour operator Noble Caledonia ran aground after concluding nautical tourism on March 4. The ship led by Captain Keith Michael Taylor was heading to Bitung, North Sulawesi. At least eight genera of coral were destroyed and shattered.
Tonny said that for an easier joint investigation process, the Transportation Ministry has formed an internal investigation team. He has also been instructed by Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi to take actions over damaged coral reefs in Raja Ampat in accordance with the applicable standard operating procedures (SOP). “Including collecting details and information from the Saonek Port Operator Office on the incident,” he said.
The Indonesian government has also formed a joint team comprising state ministries and agencies. “Basically, we will coordinate to resolve the incident. Aside from delivering a letter to the flag state of the ship, we will also summon the ship owner or agency, also the insurance company,” Tony said.
Arif Havas Oegroseno, deputy for maritime coordination for the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, said he will work closely with the owner of the Caledonian Sky ship to find out the extent of the damage caused to coral reefs in Raja Ampat. “A joint field survey to determine the damages,” he said.
The joint research will be held today. Each party will appoint an expert team. The government’s team, Arif said, will comprise of representatives of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, the Environment Ministry, the Marine and Fishery Ministry, University of Papua, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and Bogor Agricultural University (IPB).
Arif said that the damage caused by the incident will be thoroughly calculated. Some factors to be taken into account are damaged coral reefs, affected fish, marine biota, the value of maritime tourism, damaged ecosystem and damages inflicted on the local economy.
LARISSA HUDA | MITRA TARIGAN | AGUNG SEDAYU