TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director General of Sea Transportation of the Transportation Ministry A. Tonny Budiono said that the Indonesian government has requested the Bahamian government to participate in the investigation of the damaged coral reefs caused by MV Caledonian Sky in Raja Ampat, Papua.
"The Directorate General of Sea Transportation has sent a letter to the Maritime Authoriy of the Bahama as the flag state of the ship," Tonny said in a press release on Thursday, march 16, 2017.
The cruise ship, owned by cruise operator company Noble Caledonian, ran into coral reefs in Raja Ampat after completing its cruise on March 4, 2017. The ship, helmed by Captain Keith Michael Taylor was beached during its sail to Bitung, North Sulawesi. At least eight genus of coral reefs are predicted to be destroyed because if the incident.
Tony said that the Transportation Ministry has established an internal team to facilitate the joint investigation process. Tonny added that he had received orders from Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi to take follow up actions on the damage in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOP).
"One of [the SOPs] is to request for statements and information from the Saonek Port Operator Office in relation to the incident," Tonny said.
The Indonesian government had also established a team of several ministries and institutions. "Basically, we are ready to coordinate [with the Bahamian government] to solve the incident. In addition sending a letter to the ship's flag state, we will summon the ship owner, and the insurance company," Tonny said.
Deputy Coordinator of Maritime Sovereignty of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs Arif Hava Oegroseno said that he will cooperate with the owner of the Caledonian Sky to analyze the coral reef damages. "The joint survey is intended to determine the losses," Arif said.
AGUNG SEDAYU | LARISSA HUDA | MITRA TARIGAN
