Head of the Transport Office of the Regency of Raja Ampat Backy Rahawarin said here on Friday the decision was for the safety of the ships and to protect the ridges of rocks .
Backy said the Transport Ministry is drafting the regulation on the sea lanes safe for big vessels in Raja Ampat.
British tourist vessels the Caledonian Sky flying the flag of Bahama, crashed into ridge of rock in low tide in Raja Ampat in March, 2017 causing heavy damage to the rock.
A tugboat had to be brought in from Sorong to help drag the ship to safety. Around 1,600 square meters of ridges of rock known as Crossover Reef were damaged.
Raja Ampat has ones of the most beautiful ridges of rock in the world with great varieties of water creatures.
The district administration said it would not allow big vessel to sail in Raja Ampat waters until the Transport Ministry issued a regulation on the sea lanes for big vessels.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
