Australian authorities on Wednesday arrested and charged the master and officer on watch of the Chinese coal carrier which ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef, damaging the famous marine park. Australian Federal Police swooped on the men who were on board the Shen Neng 1, which rammed into a coral shoal at full speed on April 3 and spilled oil into the World Heritage listed reef.
"Investigations showed that the Shen Neng 1 failed to turn at a waypoint required by the intended course of the ship," police said in a statement. The 47-year-old master has been charged with liability for a ship causing damage in the park, while the 44-year-old officer is charged with being in charge of the bulk carrier which ripped up part of a shoal and spilled oil.
The first man faces a fine of up to 55,000 dollars (51,000 US) and the second up to three years in prison and/or a 220,000 dollar fine, police said. The men are in police custody and will appear in court on Thursday. The giant coal-carrier was refloated and towed away on Monday. Heavy fuel oil leaking out of the giant ship, carrying 68,000 tonnes of coal to China, created a three-kilometre (two-mile) slick which was cleared with chemical dispersants.
The vessel also carved a kilometres-long gouge and plastered toxic paint from its hull over the delicate coral reef, which experts say could take 20 years to recover. Officials revealed Wednesday that oil from the 230-metre (750-foot) Shen Neng 1 has washed up at a famed nature sanctuary, raising fears for birds and baby turtles.