Australian police have arrested the captain and chief officer of the Chinese bulk carrier Shen Neng 1, which ran aground on a sand bar at the Great Barrier Reef marine park.
The bulk carrier was allegedly taking an illegal shortcut when it hit a sandbar while en route to the port of Gladstone in Queensland. The two officers will be charged with liability for damage to the reef system.
The captain faces a find of 37,000 euros; his colleague, who was on watch, faces a maximum of three years in jail and a fine of 150,000 euros. International maritime law experts say the ship's owners, the Shenzhen Energy Group, could face fines of up to 15 million euros.
The Shen Neng 1 was refloated on Monday night and has been towed to nearby Great Keppel Island. The coal ship lost at least two tonnes of heavy fuel-oil as a result of the accident. The Australian authorities initially feared the spill might cause extensive damage to nearby nesting sites of sea birds and sea turtles, but only small clumps of oil have washed up so far.
A beach on Great Keppel Island
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It isn't the ship's fault alone. Why did Australian authorities not impose that the ship can only sail with a pilot on board? This is the price of expediency.
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