Of course, we've mentioned the barge that destroyed a sizable swath of reef at Sipadan. Since the blunder, people have been wondering why a barge carrying construction material was in an area that was supposedly protected. It turns out that the barge was bringing in materials and heavy equipment to build a $1.3 million tourism facility on the island. What?! I thought it was off-limits to dive operations? After all, wasn't that why the dive shops all got kicked off the island in 2004?

Frustratingly, it seems the contractor overseeing the barge DID NOT HAVE the permits required to run the barge through the area in the first place. Although the contractor had applied for permits ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, the permits were for a small boat -- called a kumpit -- to transfer building materials to the island; the use of a barge was not approved. According to Kadir Omar, President of Sabah's branch of the Malaysian Nature Society, "If indeed true that the company had brought in the steel barge without a permit, as alleged, then the contractor should be charged for encroachment as well as for any damage caused to Sipadan."

Sadly, locals experts, like Robert Lo, Managing Director of Sipadan Mabul Resort, are concerned about further damage to the island: "Sipadan's...famous underwater cavern may now collapse because this giant barge is sitting right on top of it. If that thin ceiling collapses, the beach will collapse and part of the island will collapse as well."

Malaysian Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat ordered Sabah Parks to immediately initiate an investigation into the presence of the barge. According to Kah Kiat, who also serves as Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, "We may...have to consider closing the island indefinitely to let the island rest and regenerate." Indefinitely? Like for 100,000 years?