MANILA, Philippines (24 Jan 2004) -- More than a month after walking away from what environmentalists describe as an ecological disaster, Scuba World Inc. owner Juan Lee may finally be getting the message he will have to clean up his act. At about 5:30am on December 21, Island Explorer, a large liveaboard owned and operated by Scuba World Inc (SWI), ran aground on Apo Reef. Some 37 passengers and crew were safely evacuated but almost five weeks later, the vessel is still on the reef, has keeled over on its starboard side and according to local officials, is leaking fuel oil into the waters of one of the world's most beautiful coral marine reserves. Despite Scuba World's attempts to dismiss the accident as a "non-issue" because the fuel oil is "biodegradable" and the vessel would make a "good artificial reef", environmentalists led by the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) have threatened to take legal action against Lee unless Island Explorer is removed from Apo Reef without further delay. According to CDNN sources in the Philippines, Scuba World representatives met yesterday with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Reef National Park Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to discuss salvage operations aimed at removing Island Explorer from Apo Reef and protecting wildlife within the marine reserve. | | While Scuba World has finally agreed to remove the vessel, the company continues to deny it poses any environmental threat, and has stated unequivocally that no fuel oil has leaked into the Apo Reef marine reserve. The company also denies accusations it was operating illegally by exceeding the maximum number of onboard passengers permitted under its certification as a commercial passenger vessel. According to some reports, there were 26 passengers onboard when Island Explorer ran aground, however, Scuba World says that four of the so-called passengers were actually "professional divers". Company representatives also refuted allegations Scuba World Inc was considering hiring people to blow up the vessel to cover up evidence of reef damage and oil contamination. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
