The director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has ordered marine authorities to check damages to the coral reef after a garbage barge hit the reef and stranded off Phi Phi Don in Krabi on Sunday (March 11).
DMCR director-general Jatuporn Buruspat said marine patrol boat No 225 was ordered to the scene at Phi Phi Don island to assess damages caused to the coral reefs by Chachandee garbage barge which drifted and hit the reef after developing engine failure.
The garbage barge was then stranded on the reef off Phi Phi Don island.
Initial inspection by DMCR divers showed scratches along the 5 metre wide and 20 metre long coral reef caused by the barge, totalling 100 square metres, he said.
But there was no leak of engine and fuel oil into the sea.
The skipper told marine authorities that there is still 150 litres of fuel oil in the tank.
But authorities found some garbage from the barge drifting near the stranded barge and the reefs.
He said park officials at Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi marine national park have been instructed to take legel action against the boat operator.
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