Sipadan Barge Accident - May 06

Hi,

In May 06 a barge full of constructing materials swept off part of the reef at Sipadan (finsonline).

Does anyone have any updates on the reef, progress of the construction (tourist facilities ?) on the island,...? What's it like these days?

Best regards,

Bartus

i was there a few months ago and we did not see too much damage to the reef. there isnt any plans to re construct on sipadan. the only guys that stay on the island now are the malaysian navy guarding it in case of pirating indonesians. the options would be either liveaboard, seaventures dive platform, mabul or kapalai for accommodation.

http://www.scubastew.com/gallery_90248.html

I went back to Sipadan in May 2007 - and they had done a pretty good job of hiding the damage - bascially by respreading the debris back across the area of damaged reef.

The damaged area is very shallow - as you might expect from a barge grounding - and therefore most divers who swim deeper than 2 metres would never see it.

When I was last there, there was no sign of any new development on the island.

Alex

ok

thanks, Alex