Qld: Ship owners say they're sorry

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2010
Qld: Ship owners say they're sorry

By Petrina Berry

BRISBANE, April 9 AAP - The owners of a Chinese coal carrier that crashed into a protected
part of the Great Barrier Reef say the ship did not stick to a planned route.

The Shen Neng 1 has been grounded on a shoal in the reef off the central Queensland
coast since crashing into it on Saturday.

The matter has been referred to the Australian Federal Police which is yet to decide
whether it will launch a criminal investigation.

Salvage crews are set to begin pumping heavy oil from the grounded coal carrier stuck
on Douglas Shoal, off the coast of Rockhampton.

The vessel is owned by Chinese company, Shenzhen Energy Transport Co Ltd.

The company's chief of shipping and development, Hu Wei said in a statement that they
were sorry and have vowed to work closely with investigators and maritime authorities.

"The vessel did not alter course to the east to go through the passage as planned,
and as a consequence the vessel ran aground on Douglas Shoal," he said.

"We appreciate the environmental and economic significance of the Great Barrier Reef.

"We are fully committed to cooperating with and assisting the authorities to minimise
any environmental damage and to ensure the matter is resolved safely and quickly."

He said the company's insurers have appointed international salvors Svitzer Salvage
Co to remove the vessel.

They have also appointed international oil pollution experts from the UK, who have
flown to Gladstone to provide advice.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) says weather conditions are now right to start pumping
950 tonnes of heavy oil from the vessel on Friday morning.

MSQ general manager Patrick Quirk says they have tested massive booms placed next to
the ship to contain possible spills and it is ready to go.

"This is a delicate operation that will take days, not hours," Mr Quirk said.

Contingency plans are in place in case there is any spillage with a team of wildlife
carers on standby.

Fuel will be pumped onto a 50 metre barge, which can carry up to 1500 tonnes of oil.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh will be on board a helicopter that will fly over the
vessel on Friday.

AAP peb/goc/

KEYWORD: CARRIER 2ND UPDATE

2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.