Wednesday 8 March 2017

Local anger as Caledonian Sky strikes reef in Raja Ampat

#expeditioncruising .

Local tourism development body, Stay Raja Ampat, has reported on their Facebook page that MS Caledonian Sky ran aground on a reef around midday local time on 4 March.

Caledonian Sky stuck momentarily on a reef in Raja Ampat (Stay Raja Ampat/Facebook)

Raja Ampat is one of the last remaining pristine reef locations in the world and is of enormous ecological and scientific significance, hence the attraction to visiting expedition cruise ships.

As can be seen in the comments, the event has caused great concern among both locals and foreigners familiar with the location. Questions are understandably being asked about how a ship of this size and sophistication can strike a reef in an area supposedly with good charts.

Claims are also being made that the captain was unavailable to speak with local authorities immediately after the event.

According to the manifest, there were mainly British passengers aboard and no Australians.

Caledonian Sky has since floated free and departed the area, presumably with minimal damage to the vessel. Damage to the reef is believed to be extensive and enquiries are ongoing.

To be continued.






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