In Reply to: Thanks Brad! posted by Elaine on October 18, 2010 at 20:14:35:

If you hadn't brought it to the attention of others, no one would have known, the skipper of the boat had no idea...

A lot of people would not have understood how significant that damage actually was. It was not something to be taken for granted. A coral head that big could have been hundreds of years in its formation. No doubt that coral head was an important point of orientation for many species on the reef.

As far as that tanker goes, there is no exscuse for that whatsoever---trace a breadcrumb route from where ever it was a week before and ask yourself how it could have ended up there??? I hope the fine was so big that no freighter will ever venture near the atoll ever again!