Eco Explorer Runs Aground On Tubbataha

[clgsamson]

san juan branch! you can't miss it

btw, as with chip...i think i won't do PG with them anymore. who knows what could happen.

nothing will happen...you won't hit the dive spots..bwahahahahaha

go with us then.

 

[Xizang]

Dennis,
Just sign up at www.yahoogroups.com then search for the group diversions.

 

[clgsamson]

Dennis,
Just sign up at www.yahoogroups.com then search for the group diversions.

Twomix/Gordon might just post this one over at PDIF and Diversions

 

[Ben_ca]

Heaters? or Haters?

 

[Diver Dennis]

I signed up for Diversions, just have to wait to be accepted into the group. I already copied the story so I will post it tomorrow.

 

[manhattandiver]

what ship were you on? got any pix?

I was on the Stella Maris Explorer. It's the ship in the middle of the picture in the first link below. The ship on the left is the Oceanic Explorer and the ship on the right, listing to starboard and with its waterline clearly visible, is the Eco Explorer. If you look closely at the picture you can see the tow cables strung between them.

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0727_edited.JPG

The other two pictures were taken on a dive beneath the Eco Explorer. The first shows a tiny fraction of the damage to the reef.

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0736_edited.JPG

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_0739_edited.JPG

As for why the wreck never made the news, I'll leave that for others determine. I can certainly make some guesses though.

 

[archman]

As for why the wreck never made the news, I'll leave that for others determine. I can certainly make some guesses though.

Oh come on! Give us the guesses! :huh:

 

[iris_ice]

who gives out permits to run those liveaboards, anyway? if it's the third time then they should fully revoke the permit, give/sell the ship to marine research institutions which can turn it into research vessels (weeeee!!!). that's just me dreaming on...

 

[Ben_ca]

It's on GMA/INQ7

Sounds like it was burried somewhere in the back of the paper


Dive boat runs aground

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- A dive boat ran aground off one of the islets of the Tubbataha Reef, a protected area and one of two World Heritage Sites in Palawan province, on March 27. The Explorer Fleet, owned by a certain John Wy, was on its way to a dive site when it hit a shallow portion of the reef. Angelique Songco, manager of the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, said the extent of damage had yet to be determined as the boat was still stuck at the south islet of the reef. Last year, the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior ran aground in the area and paid a fine for the destroyed coral reefs. Geraldford Ticke, PDI Southern Luzon Bureau

 

[chewie]

hay nako not again. last year i think it was the MY explorer that ran aground there. they were only fined a measly sum compared to the damage that the boat did. Also last year, another boat of their's spilled fuel somewhere. (can't recall) there must be stricter guidelines to follow..