Australia to prosecute over Barrier Reef ship crash

[Nano Chris]

Thought id share this:

Those responsible for a Chinese ship running aground on the Great Barrier Reef and leaking oil will be prosecuted, Australian authorities say.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the vessel was clearly on an unlawful route and compensation would be sought for the spill.

"We'll be throwing the book at those responsible," Mr Albanese said.

In a separate case, three men have been charged with steering their cargo ship through a restricted area of the Reef.

The men, from Vietnam and South Korea, will appear in an Australian court on Monday, accused of taking their coal carrier on an unauthorised route through one of the world's most valuable marine wildlife reserves.

It is alleged that their vessel, the MV Mimosa, was not registered with the Reef Vessel Tracking System and failed to respond to attempts by the authorities to establish contact.

If found guilty, the men could face a maximum fine of more than A$200,000 ($205,000).

Oil fear

The Chinese vessel, the Shen Nang 1, rammed into a sandbank some 70km (43 miles) off the east coast of Great Keppel Island on 4 April after straying off its permitted route.

"It is quite clear that this vessel went on a course that was unlawful," Mr Albanese told reporters after flying over the stranded ship.

"The Australian government will ensure that the full force of the law is brought to bear on those responsible," he said.

"And we will also ensure... compensation is paid with regard to the cost of cleaning up."

Salvage crews have been pumping fuel oil from the vessel, which was carrying carrying 950 tonnes of oil and about 65,000 tonnes of coal.

Inflatable booms are in place around it to contain any oil that may spill.

In the wake of these incidents, it has emerged that bulk carriers regularly take short cuts through the world heritage-listed marine park - reef "rat-runs" that cut down on voyage times and therefore save money.

The Australian government has vowed to tighten up its maritime laws in response

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system and extends for more than 2,500km.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8613890.stm

 

[a9reef]

Damn that sucks!!

 

[ChadTheSpike]

It is a shame that the incident occurred. I hope the Australian government makes a shining example of these folks that seem pretty flagrantly out of line.

 

[iamwrasseman]

i have always thought that sea going vessels should be tracked just like airlines . i understand that the ocean is much more vast but they should implement such a feature at the ships expense . there are to many incidents where ships take short cuts and there is no accountability in international waters as there are virtually no rules that can be easily enforced . such a shame as the reefs are just declining and this has to happen .i guess that the exxon valdez didn't teach any one anything .

 

[Metal Man 1221]

idiots, i hope they go to jail

 

[robot2222]

exxon valdez still hasent paid fine ........tangled it up in court . they should throw them oveboard and start chumming let the sharks eat them .

 

[Joce]

they deserve a bigger fine..what's 200K to an oil company?...

 

[muttley000]

they deserve a bigger fine..what's 200K to an oil company?...

No doubt, 200 million may not even cause them to think differently the next time

 

[AngelAddict]

I agree, 200k wont put a dent in the damages done. Shame.

 

[amkelly802]

I dont think the 200k is toward the company, i believe the 200k is toward the individual who was manning the ship. I could be wrong though