Two men arrested in connection with the Shen Neng 1

Two men have been arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in connection with a bulk carrier, namely the Shen Neng 1, that ran aground on Douglas Shoal, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on 3 April 2010.

The arrests follow a joint investigation conducted by the AFP, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

It will be alleged in court that the men were the master and chief officer-on-watch of the vessel that caused damage to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The men will appear in Gladstone Court tomorrow.

The criminal investigation began after the AFP received a referral from GBRMPA on 5 April relating to the grounding of the vessel, which occurred at approximately 5pm on 3 April 2010.

Investigations showed that the Shen Neng 1 failed to turn at a waypoint required by the intended course of the ship. A waypoint is a location at which a ship is to alter course.

Federal agents, assisted by GBRMPA and AMSA investigators, executed a search warrant on the vessel today as it was located approximately three nautical miles north west of Barren Island, Queensland in Australian territorial waters.

The master of the vessel, a 47-year-old Chinese man has been charged with liability for vessel causing damage in Marine Park, contrary to section 38FC of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. The maximum penalty for this offence is a $55,000 fine.

A 44-year-old Chinese man has been charged with person in charge of vessel within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, causing damage to the Marine Park, contrary to section 38DA of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. The maximum penalty for this offence is three years imprisonment and/or a $220,000 fine.