A UK cruiseship has damaged coral after running aground on a reef off Indonesia, it has emerged.
The 4,200-gt Caledonian Sky (built 1991) has now been refloated following the incident on 4 March.
The 114-passenger ship, operated by Noble Caledonia, was not evacuated, but damage has been estimated at 13,500 square metres of reef, AFP said, citing Ricardo Tapilatu, a marine researcher from the University of Papua, who headed a team assessing the impact.
It could cost $16.2m to rescue the coral.
The CruiseCritic website said there was superficial damage to the vessel's hull.
The ship continued on an amended version of a 16-night sailing from Papua New Guinea to the Philippines.
Noble Caledonia said the accident was "unfortunate" and it was co-operating fully with the investigation.
The company added: "Noble Caledonia is firmly committed to protection of the environment, which is why it is imperative that the reasons for it are fully investigated, understood and any lessons learned incorporated in operating procedures".
It said the shoal was uncharted.
