I could not open the link in the OP so here is an article taken from the Visayan Daily Star:
Source:
Welcome to the VISAYAN DAILY STAR Website
Luxury boat destroys Apo Island coral reef
Report will be investigated, Dauin mayor
BY JUDY F. PARTLOW & MARICAR ARANAS
Mayor Neil Credo and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Alanano of Dauin, Negros Oriental, yesterday vowed to investigate and possibly seek remuneration for the damage to about 76 meters of coral reefs in the internationally renowned dive destination, Apo Island. The officials said they were incensed to know about the incident that took place June 26, but Apo Island chief sea warden, Mario Pascobello, informed them about it only yesterday.
Pascobello said he has reported to the island’s Protected Area Superintendent Viernov Grefalde. This is the second time in just nine days after another vessel, the M/V Lorcon Davao, encroached on the waters of the Mandarin Marine Protected Area in Maayong Tubig, Dauin, on June 17 and destroyed about 100 square meters of coral formations.
Pascobello said that on June 26, the S/Y Philippine Siren, a 40-meter luxury live-aboard dive boat plowed through a portion of the coral reefs where the chapel is located on Apo Island.
Based on his investigation, he said, the yacht had moved that day from its authorized regular mooring area to the Rock West Point of the island for unknown reasons.
The S/Y Philippine Siren frequents Apo Island and has the proper permits from the local government unit and clearance from Protected Area Management Board to operate dive tours at the island.
On that day, Pascobello said high winds hit the island at around 3 p.m. but the ship captain reportedly did not transfer the yacht which had dropped anchor at Rock West. The S/Y Philippine Siren sailed from the island at around 4:30 p.m. on the same day. Alanano said the yacht was also previously fined for violating the law in Dauin. He said the S/Y Siren had paid P19,000 in fines for conducting night diving at a marine protected area.
Meanwhile, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Oscar Magallones said that during a technical meeting Monday, Marco Santos, representing the Worldwide Dive and Sail Philippines, the operators of the S/Y Philippine Siren, accepted responsibility for the damage, which they said was unintentional.
Alanano said no representative from the Dauin LGU was present in that meeting. Magallones said the company is willing to shoulder expenses for a damage assessment survey on July 13 to 16 by a composite team of environment specialists, marine biologists, and representatives from the PAMB, the DENR, and the Environment Management Board.
He has proposed about P80,000 as initial funding for the survey. He also admitted that he did not know if PASU Grefalde or the PAMB had informed then Mayor Alanano about the incident. The Dauin police station also did not have a blotter entry on it.
Meanwhile, Pascobello expressed concern over the return of the S/Y Philippine Siren to Apo Island, as it was spotted there yesterday, while investigation is still underway.*JFP/ MA