Oil spill hits Great Barrier Reef sanctuary, sailors arrested

Oil from a Chinese ship has leaked into a nature sanctuary next to the Great Barrier Reef, raising concerns about fish and turtles. The Shen Nang 1 was carrying 975 tonnes of heavy fuel oil when it smashed into the reef at full speed on 3 April.

Reuters

Clean up crews and environmental experts have been helicoptered to North West Island, off the coast of Queensland, to clear up small clumps of oil that were found on the beach.

The tanker leaked about two tonnes of oil, leaving a three kilometre long slick along the reef, which was cleared with chemical dispersants, but experts say the damage could take 20 years to recover.

Marine conservationists say it is a particularly bad time of year for an oil spill because it is turtle hatching season.

Meanwhile, Australian police charged two members of the ships crew Wednesday.

Australian Federal Police say they are going to ":throw the book" at the master and chief officer-on-watch on board the Shen Neng 1, as it was 15km outside the shipping lane.

The master has been charged with liability for vessel causing damage in Marine
Park, while the chief officer has been charged with person in charge of vessel within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park causing damage to the Marine Park.

The offences carry maximum penalties of a fine of up to 38,000 euros and three years imprisonment. The two men, who were not named, will appear in Gladstone Court Thursday.

"It is quite clear that this vessel went on a course that was unlawful," said Australian transport minister Anthony Albanese. "The Australian government will ensure that the full force of the law is brought to bear on those responsible."

But others have criticised the government, saying that the expansion of Queensland's mining industry makes oil spills like this more likely, especially given a fairly relaxed approached to shipping regulation.

"The Queensland and Australian maritime authorities do not require a pilot to be on board these foreign registered ships," said Ian Herbert, the vice-president of Capricorn Conservation Council, a lobby group in central Queensland. "They only need a pilot at the very northern end of Queensland. From Gladstone all the way to Cairns, they are allowed to sail through Great Barrier Reef waters without a pilot."