Great Barrier Reef oil spill a government 'wake-up call'
News
06 Apr 2010 - 18 Jan 2016
Chinese bulk coal carrier Shen Neng 1 was travelling at full speed when it rammed into a sandbar and the Douglas Shoal off Great Keppel Island, east of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. The vessel began leaking oil into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area by the IMO. This incident has been described as a Federal and State government 'wake-up call' to develop a maritime policy, extend compulsory pilotage, and extend the vessel monitoring area.