Cement Cargo Ship Damages Coral Reef at Koh Talu

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of DMCR.

 

A cargo ship towing barges, carrying cement collided with a coral reef near Koh Talu in Prachuap Khiri Khan, causing severe damage after rough seas led to the failure of its anchor chain.

 

On March 2, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) received a report from local conservation networks that a cement cargo ship travelling from Bangkok to Pattani had run into difficulties due to strong winds and rough seas. In an attempt to seek shelter, the crew anchored near Koh Talu in Bang Saphan Noi district. However, the towing chain of the barge snapped, causing three barges to drift uncontrollably and crash into coral reefs and rocky outcrops, leading to significant environmental damage.

 

The Prachuap Khiri Khan Regional Marine Office has taken action by summoning the ship’s crew for questioning and coordinating with the relevant authorities to assess the damage. The Marine Resources Conservation Centre in Prachuap Khiri Khan is working with the Central Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre to conduct a detailed survey of the affected coral reef. The collected data will be used to assess the full extent of the damage and support legal claims for compensation to restore the marine environment.

 

Authorities have detained the vessel responsible for the incident, and legal proceedings are expected to follow to ensure accountability for the environmental impact.

 

-- 2025-03-04