Underwater footage shows cruise ship anchor destroying ancient coral reef

The Department of Environment said the cruise ship was allowed to drop anchor there

A diver has shared footage of a cruise ship's anchor destroying sections of an ancient coral reef off the Cayman Islands.

After noticing the Pullmantur Zenith cruise ship was anchored oddly close to the reef, diving instructor Scott Prodahl decided to investigate.

In the video, the ship's anchor can be seen scraping across the reef, breaking off coral and damaging sea sponges.

The extent of the damage can be seen at 4:26, when Mr Prodahl and his diving partner swim over an area extensively damaged by the anchor.

They later surface, showing the huge cruise liner off the coast of the George Town port.

According to Mr Prodahl, the Department of Environment was contacted but nothing could be done, because the area was a designated anchorazge zone and the cruise ship was given permission to drop anchor there.