Arrests after coal carrier gets too close to the Barrier Reef

Sydney - Three foreign nationals were charged Sunday after a coal carrier took an unauthorized route through the Great Barrier Reef on Australia's east coast.

The arrest of a South Korean and two Vietnamese over the route taken by the Panama-registered MV Mimosa comes as salvage crews work to free another coal carrier stuck on the reef for over a week.

Salvors could start work to drag the China-registered Shen Neng 1 off the reef on Monday, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Pumps are being used to transfer the 950 tons of fuel oil from the Shen Neng 1 to a barge alongside. When that work is complete the task of refloating the ship can begin.

The MV Mimosa is alleged to have intruded into a protected area April 4, a day after the Chinese ship got stuck on the reef.

The three were charged with entering a prohibited zone without permission. Under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act they could each be fined up to 220,000 Australian dollars (198,000 US dollars).

The men will appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday. Police will also allege that the MV Mimosa was not registered with the Reef Vessel Tracking System and failed to provide a pre-entry report.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/318079,arrests-after-coal-carrier-gets-too-close-to-the-barrier-reef.html.