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Introduction
A dispute has emerged between local dive operators and Silversea Cruises following allegations that the expedition ship Silver Cloud caused damage to coral reefs near Alor Island, Indonesia. The controversy centers around claims that Zodiacs deployed from the vessel dropped multiple anchors onto coral formations instead of using designated mooring lines—reviving concerns over environmental protection in ecologically sensitive waters.
Details of the Allegation
Anchor Deployment Incident:
- A Bluewater Travel executive publicly alleged on Facebook that 13 Zodiacs from Silver Cloud each dropped three anchors into the reef area during an excursion stop.
- A dive guide reportedly retrieved one anchor embedded in live coral, which was caught on video and followed by a heated exchange with a crew member.
- Local dive operators also claimed as many as 39 anchors were deployed in total, with at least one found wrapped around coral structures.
Silversea’s Operational Status:
- Silver Cloud is currently sailing a Darwin-to-Bali expedition, with stops including Komodo, Bau Bau, Kupang, Palopo, and Alor.
- Silversea has confirmed it acquired all required permits to operate in the Alor region.
- The cruise line has not yet issued an official response addressing the specific reef damage claims.
Regulatory and Community Context:
- ExpeditionCruising.com, an industry observer, has questioned the accuracy of the anchor-use claims and suggested the operational procedure may have been mischaracterized.
- Indonesia’s Alor region is known for pristine reefs, drawing global divers and fostering concerns over cruise ship impact.
- Historical tensions resurfaced, notably from the widely criticized 2017 grounding of the Caledonian Sky in Raja Ampat, further fueling mistrust among conservation advocates.
Ongoing Investigation:
- While the reef damage claims are under review, no independent assessment has confirmed the full environmental impact.
- Authorities are examining whether permit conditions adequately govern anchor deployment methods and whether best practices were followed during the Alor stop.
- The situation highlights the ongoing conflict between expedition cruise expansion and fragile marine ecosystems in Southeast Asia.