Boat International Coral
Sailing for Science: Dunia Baru and the Future of Black Coral Conservation
In the heart of the Raja Ampat yacht charter region—where coral gardens meet karst cliffs—Dunia Baru, a luxury phinisi yacht, became an unlikely but ideal platform for scientific discovery. Through the Yachts for Science initiative, a groundbreaking expedition brought marine biologist Erika Gress and her team aboard the 51-meter private yacht charter Indonesia, embarking on a two-week mission to study the elusive black coral in one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems.
Handcrafted over eight years from teak and ulin ironwood by the Konjo tribe, Dunia Baru blends superyacht charter Indonesia comfort with cultural heritage. Her spacious layout, professional dive team, and state-of-the-art equipment enabled researchers to access mesophotic reefs—those deep, twilight zones between 30 and 150 meters—where data on coral growth and marine biodiversity was gathered with precision.
Each day unfolded in rhythm with the sea: sunrise dives, underwater video analysis, and night expeditions revealing reef species rarely seen by human eyes. The study not only charted new ecological insights but reinforced Dunia Baru’s positioning as an eco-conscious yacht charter, already known for delivering medical aid to remote villages and founding a marine conservation learning center in Sauwandarek, West Papua.
This was more than a journey. It was a confluence of luxury, science, and sustainability. From the crystal reefs of Misool to the teak decks of Dunia Baru, the expedition proved that adventure and responsibility can indeed sail side by side.
