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Great Barrier Reef Oil Spill

Great Barrier Reef Oil Spill – Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett says he has asked for a special panel to be established to assess the damage to the Great Barrier Reef caused by a Chinese coal ship.

The bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 ran aground on the Douglas Shoal east of Rockhampton on Saturday.

Damage to the ship’s fuel tank has caused a oil spill stretching three kilometres.

Mr Garrett says he has asked the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to coordinate the panel.

The group will also advise the Government on how the ship should be moved.

Two tugboats are in place to stabilise the ship, and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says salvage experts will consider pumping oil from the damaged vessel.

“The damage is extensive to the engine, to the rudder and other parts of the ship,” she said.

Ms Bligh says up to two-and-a-half tonnes of oil has leaked from the ship, with more than 900 tonnes of oil still on board.

“There is thought being given at the moment to whether the best way forward is to pump out the oil,” she said.

“That’ll be a decision ultimately of the salvage team and that is something that could be part of the salvage effort.”

Tags: Barrier Reef Marine, Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Bligh, Bulk Carrier, Douglas Shoal, Federal Environment Minister, Fuel Tank, great barrier reef, Great Barrier Reef Marine, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Marine Park, Marine Park Authority, Neng, Oil Spill, Peter Garrett, Reef Marine Park, Reef Marine Park Authority, rockhampton, Tugboats
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