Australian officials say ships off course in Great Barrier Reef will face legal responsibility

Australian officials seek to protect reef

BRISBANE, Australia — An Australian state leader vowed Monday to sharply increase penalties on ships causing oil spills, after a vessel ran aground and leaked fuel oil on the Great Barrier Reef more than a week ago.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the maximum penalty for corporations would increase from 1.75 million Australian dollars ($1.64 million) to AU$10 million, and individuals would face fines of AU$500,000 — up from AU$350,000.

Salvage crews continued working to remove 1,000 tons (950 metric tons) of heavy fuel oil from the Shen Neng 1, which slammed into a shoal in the world’s largest coral reef more than a week ago after veering into protected waters in Queensland territory.

The proposed new penalties are the latest sign that authorities are serious about stepping up protection of the fragile reef.

“This increase in penalties will send a message to the thousands of ship crews who pass through Queensland waters that nothing but the greatest attention to safety and care will be tolerated,” Bligh said. The legislation will be introduced to state parliament this week.

On Monday, three crewmen from another boat that allegedly entered restricted reef waters on April 4 appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on charges of entering a prohibited zone of the reef without permission.

The South Korean master and two Vietnamese officers of the Panama-flagged coal boat MV Mimosa were granted bail and ordered to reappear Friday. They face maximum fines of 220,000 Australian dollars ($205,000).

Officials have expressed outrage over the Chinese ship’s grounding, with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warning that any cargo ships entering restricted waters of the reef will face the full force of Australian law.

“If we have any foreign vessel or any vessel violating the proper protection of the Great Barrier Reef, they should have the book thrown at them,” Rudd told reporters Sunday.

Coral shredded one part of the Shen Neng, and three or four tons of oil leaked from a ruptured fuel tank. That oil was dispersed by chemical sprays and is believed to have caused little or no damage.

Officials must remove the remaining oil to safely refloat the ship and prevent any further spillage.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese took an aerial view of the site Sunday and said a decision on refloating the ship could be made Monday. He echoed the prime minister’s anger at the grounding.

“It is quite clear this vessel went on a course that was unlawful,” Albanese said. “The Australian government will ensure that the full force of the law is brought to bear on those responsible … and we will also ensure compensation is paid with regard to the cost of cleaning up.”

The Australian Federal Police, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority are investigating alleged breaches of the law in the accident.