Stranded Cargo Vessel Inflicts Significant Harm on Thailand's Coral Reefs

Image Credits: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and plant Conservation/Facebook

A recent report from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant conservation highlights a troubling incident involving the MV Ayar Linn cargo ship, which ran aground on June 1 in Thailand’s Mu Ko Surin National Park. This mishap has lead to meaningful damage to coral reefs and raised alarms about potential environmental repercussions.

The wooden vessel, weighing 100 tonnes, found itself stranded near Ao Jak Bay and afterward began to sink. Initial assessments indicate that approximately 75 meters of coral reef were affected, with the most severe destruction occurring between 45 to 75 meters due to the ship’s hull crushing the delicate ecosystem beneath it.

Surveys conducted post-incident revealed that Blue coral (Heliopora coerulea) suffered extensively—making up around 80% of the damaged area—while Deer coral (Acropora sp.) accounted for about 15%, and hump coral (Porites lutea) represented roughly 5%. Other species like platygyra daedalea and Pocillopora also experienced minor damage.

Adding to concerns is the fact that this vessel was carrying a hefty load: over 7,700 liters of diesel fuel along with more than 3,000 bags of cement. The situation worsened as debris—including cardboard scraps and rubber tires—was released into these protected waters.

Authorities are notably worried about a possible diesel leak that could devastate local marine life. Divers have been dispatched by park officials to secure fuel tank valves in an effort to prevent any spills. Meanwhile, oil booms are being organized with help from various agencies including Marine Police and private partners for spill containment.

Complicating matters further is Thailand’s monsoon season; adverse weather conditions have hindered salvage operations significantly. Strong winds and turbulent seas pose safety risks for recovery teams attempting to remove the grounded ship.

In response to this crisis, park officials have temporarily closed off access to tourists in affected areas while urging locals not to approach for their own safety as well as aiding recovery efforts.

Kriengkrai Pohcharoen, Chief of Surin Islands National Park, noted that approximately 150 square meters were impacted by this incident. Plans for recovery are already underway in collaboration with marine experts from universities and conservation organizations.

The thai government is pursuing compensation amounting to at least 12 million baht due to environmental damages incurred during this event. Legal actions are currently being initiated; however, no representatives from the vessel’s ownership have yet come forward. The Kuraburi Police Station is gathering evidence related both directly or indirectly linked with this case while examining documentation regarding its travel history—which may suggest it was evading authorities from Myanmar at the time—but such claims remain unverified so far.

Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources has directed all involved agencies towards ensuring minimal harm during salvage operations while pursuing both criminal charges against those responsible as well as civil liabilities where applicable.

Efforts toward restoring marine ecosystems involve coordination among multiple entities including local agencies like Marine Police alongside national bodies such as Department of Marine & Coastal Resources—the goal being long-term rehabilitation strategies aimed at revitalizing damaged reef systems effectively over time.

Officials stress how crucial public cooperation will be moving forward; access restrictions will remain until environmental threats are adequately addressed allowing natural processes within these ecosystems an chance for recovery.

Reference: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation