Pollution

Citation

(2003), "Pollution", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 12 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2003.07312bac.003

Pollution

Pollution

13 May 2002 – Nakhodka (Russia)

International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds and the UK Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (UK Club) have struck a deal to settle all pending issues arising from the sinking five years ago of the ageing Russian tank Nakhodka. The agreement follows the decision by IOPCF's governing bodies to instruct its directors to hammer out a compromise over outstanding claims relating to the Nakhodka disaster with the Japanese government, the Nakhodka owner Prisco Traffic Limited, as well as the British insurer. The move follows the failure by ship-owners earlier this month to block a drive to see them pick up more of the multi-million pound bills for oil spills. An IOPCF working group at the International Maritime Organisation in London rejected owners arguments against an early review of the their right to limited liability contained in the Civil Liability Convention. The London-based intergovernmental compensation fund said in a statement that it had decided to "explore the possibility of reaching a global settlement of all issues, including those relating to the recourse actions". Top level discussions between IOPCF delegates and the world's largest ship-owners' protection and indemnity association, ground out the agreement to settle costs that emerged from the break-up on 2 January 1997 of the tanker laden with 19,000 tonnes off the west coast of Japan. The IOPCF's statement said: "It was agreed that the objectives of any global settlement should be that all admissible claims should be paid in full, that the Funds should recover a reasonable amount of compensation paid by them and all litigation should cease." IOPCF's acceptance of the protection and indemnity club's proposals to share out claims will put a halt on legal action against the ship-owner Prisco Traffic Limited over the seaworthiness of Nakhodka. IOPC Funds had also been in pursuit of the Primorsk Shipping Corporation and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping as well as the UK Club for gross negligence in the maintenance and condition of the vessel. The IOPCF compromise will mean that the details over the alleged un-seaworthiness of the tanker will no longer be aired in the Japanese courts. However, the global deal will mean that IOPCF can claw back a large amount its compensation payments and established claims are paid in full. The break-up of Nakhodka and the spill of around 6,200 tonnes of oil into the Sea of Japan has so far amounted to compensation payments of Y90m, with the IOPCF paying back claimants at 80 per cent of the settlement amount. Compensation claims over the last five years since the spill have amounted to Y190m, but the IOPC has only Y119m available for compensation under international agreements. The Japanese government and its agencies' claims amount to Y26.7m, which is the only sizeable claim that is still pending.

15 May 2002 – Ilha Grande Bay (Brazil)

Environmental authorities slapped an $8 million fine today on oil company Petrobras after an oil spill near a popular beach resort. According to Petrobras, some 4,160 gallons of light crude oil spilled into the ocean near Ilha Grande while a vessel bringing oil from Nigeria was off-loading yesterday afternoon. The company said some 500 workers were deployed to contain the spill. Luiz Antonio Landini, environmental secretary of the municipality of Mangaratiba, said the spill threatened beaches near several popular resort hotels, including a Club Med.

15 May 2002 – Petroleo Brasiliero SA (Petrobras) reported today that a 16,000 litre oil spill of Nigerian crude off the city of Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro state, was contained by booms and 63 support vessels. The spill of light Nigerian crude happened yesterday evening during the unloading and loading of tank Brotas (53,114gt, built 1985). Petrobras executives said the cause of the spill was under investigation. Petrobras also said 500 of its employees were involved in the spill containment efforts, and they said this type of crude oil evaporates quickly. Fernando Jordao, the mayor of Angra dos Reis, asked Petrobras for more details and complained that Petrobras was slow in reporting the spill. Municipality officials also said they will request that federal environmental authorities fine Petrobras $4m.

16 May 2002 – Exxon Valdez (USA)

The former master of tank Exxon Valdez finished paying his official debt to Alaska for the nation's worst oil spill, giving the state a $50,000 cheque. The state received the cheque from Joseph Hazelwood's lawyers yesterday, said Diane Wendlandt, chief of the attorney general's collections office. The restitution was part of a sentence handed down in 1990 after a jury convicted Hazelwood of negligent discharge of oil. In 1989, Exxon Valdez polluted Alaska's Prince William Sound with 11 million gallons of crude oil, which impacted roughly 1,500 miles of coastline. Hazelwood was given probation instead of prison, and the restitution was a condition of that probation, said Dean Guaneli, chief assistant attorney general. The sentence also included 1,000 hours of community service, which he completed last summer, said Fred Fulgencio, the city's work service program supervisor. The jury found recklessness by Exxon and Hazelwood, who caused Exxon Valdez to run aground on a charted reef. The plaintiffs had alleged that Hazelwood ran the vessel aground while drunk and that Exxon knew he had a drinking problem. Hazelwood, however, was acquitted in 1990 of operating the tanker while drunk.

13 June 2002 – Exxon Mobil Corp. asked a federal district court in Anchorage to reduce a $5b punitive damage award levied against it resulting from the tank Exxon Valdez oil spill to $25m. The fine, in any event, should total no more than $40m, the company said. Exxon Mobil spokesman Tom Cirigliano said the company is following up on a decision by a panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals last November. The appeals court panel found that the $5b awarded by an Anchorage jury in 1994 to thousands of commercial fishermen, Alaska Natives, property owners and others harmed by the spill was excessive. It ordered the Anchorage court to reduce the award. The appeals court later refused to review its decision. Exxon Mobil had until Monday to file its motion. Exxon Mobil argues that the punitive damages should be $25m – the amount of the fine imposed by the government for the spill. It also says the punitive damages should not exceed $40m. "Pocket change," said Patience Anderson Faulkner of Cordova, when asked about the amounts suggested by Exxon Mobil. Faulkner said the effects of the spill continue to devastate the community of about 2,500 people at the south-eastern end of Prince William Sound. A fishing permit before the spill cost more than $200,000, she said. Now one costs $40,000, and two-thirds of the purse seiners have given up. Exxon Mobil has maintained that Prince William Sound fully recovered from the massive oil spill years ago.

14 June 2002 – Jury selection began today in a trial in Alaska Superior Court over claims from the 1989 oil spill from tank Exxon Valdez, which blackened Alaska's shores. The trial will consider the claims of six coastal municipalities where public officials say they spent so much time coping with spill-related problems – acquiring clean-up equipment, meeting with Exxon officials, protecting local tidelands and other tasks – that they were diverted from the normal duties. The cities and villages are seeking $12m in compensation for the lost public services, said Plaintiff Attorney Brian O'Neill. Including interest, the total sought is $30m, he said. Plaintiffs in the case are the Kodiak Island Borough, the cities of Seward and Cordova and the villages of Old Harbor, Larsen Bay and Port Lions. Potential jurors filled out questionnaires today, and are to be interviewed by attorneys on Monday (17 June), O'Neill said. Opening arguments are expected midweek, he said. Exxon Mobil had already spent more than $2m compensating the six municipalities for legitimate and documented spill-related expenses, said company spokesman Tom Cirigliano. These additional claims did not fall into that category, he said. "We haven't seen them produce any kind of legitimate reason for the charges," he said. The plaintiff cities, like other local governments in the area, were compensated through a fund set up by Exxon immediately after the spill, Cirigliano said. "Any legitimate claims we pay," he said. "All this is a matter of accounting." The six municipalities' claims were dismissed by Superior Court Judge Brian Shortell as not compensatable. However, a 1999 state Supreme Court decision declared that such claims were valid under state law, and the case was resurrected.

19 July 2002 – A jury rejected claims by six Alaska communities that Exxon Mobil Corp owed them US$12m for the 1989 oil spill in Prince William Sound from tank Exxon Valdez. During a six-week trial in state Superior Court, Exxon Mobil argued that it had already paid its bills – more than US$3.7m. "Our intention all along was to fully pay anyone with a legitimate claim," Exxon spokesman Tom Cirigliano said on Wednesday (17 July). The plaintiffs "were obviously disappointed" with the verdict, said Dave Oesting, one of the attorneys representing the communities of Kodiak Island Borough, Seward, Cordova, Old Harbor, Larsen Bay and Port Lions. They have not yet decided whether they will appeal, Mr Oesting said. The case is unrelated to the main, unresolved issue in federal court of how much Exxon Mobil will be ordered to pay in punitive damages to thousands of commercial fishermen, Alaska Natives, property owners and others harmed by the 42-million-litre spill. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in November found the US$5b award levied against the international corporation in 1994 by an Anchorage jury to be excessive. The Appeals Court ordered the Anchorage Federal District Court to reduce it. Exxon Mobil has since told the court the award should be no more than US$40m. On Wednesday, Mr Oesting filed a 100-page brief in the federal case opposing that amount. Plaintiffs now contend punitive damages should be no less than US$4b. In the state lawsuit, the plaintiffs said Exxon did not compensate them for thousands of hours spent on clean-up by city employees taken from their regular duties. Michael Smith, an Exxon Mobil lawyer, said the plaintiffs also sought interest, which could have increased the award to as much as US$30m.

17 June 2002 – Castor (Cyprus)

Greek salvage group Tsavliris has applied to the English High Court for leave to appeal against an arbitration that unexpectedly left it without compensation for preventing environmental damage in the course of the tank Castor case. Initially, the salvor was to be awarded $2.4m in special compensation under Article 14 of the Salvage Convention, but this was recently overturned by appeal arbitrator Nigel Teare QC, leaving the basic salvage of $5.2m. Tsavliris is seeking in total an extra $1.5m – a lesser sum than was originally assessed -which is equivalent to a 40 per cent "uplift" under article 14.2 of the convention. If the admiralty court section of the High Court agrees to hear the case, the proceedings will be the most important legal test of Article 14, which is ultimately meant to help protect the environment, since the Nagasaki Spirit case which decided what is meant by a "fair rate" for salvors' expenses. The appeal application, lodged with the court a few days ago, contends that the appeal arbitrator erred in law and his decision was a wrong one on the basis of findings of fact. It also submits the court should hear the appeal as the failure to earn an uplift in a case with the Castor's characteristics will, argues Tsavliris, have a "serious impact" on the salvage industry and the environment in future. Among the interesting legal questions underlying the dispute is what is meant by "substantial physical damage" from pollution, which the convention says salvors must prevent in order to be eligible for special compensation. Tsavliris is maintaining that the fact there was a risk of the vessel grounding in the vicinity of Spain's Cabo de Palos, which hosts a fishing industry, tourism, bird reserves and a national coastal park, should more than qualify under the convention. It is understood that the application, drafted by Clyde & Co. acting for the salvors, argues that the appeal arbitrator's definition was too restrictive and contrasted with previous decisions which awarded special compensation for preventing spills of lesser quantities of pollutants than those carried by the Castor. The application is also asking the court to determine whether a salvor needs to demonstrate not only risk of harm to wildlife but actual depletion of rare fish or bird populations in order to meet the terms of the convention. Another issue dangled before the court is whether salvors need to prove the precise area where a casualty might break in two or ground in order to be compensated. In general, Tsavliris is claiming the chopping of its Article 14 award has left it with remuneration that barely covers its expenses. According to the Tsavliris camp, Mr Teare's appeal decision has caused wide concern among other salvors, as well as at the International Salvage Union. Martin Hall of Clyde & Co (Greece), who has drafted the main statement in support of Tsavliris' request to the court, declined to discuss the case. A decision as to whether leave to appeal is granted is expected in the coming months.

19 June 2002 – An investigation into an oil spill off the Galapagos Islands has been reopened by a judge after researchers said 15,000 sea iguanas could have been killed. Tank Jessica ran aground off San Cristobal Island on 16 January 2001, and leaked about 240,000 gallons of fuel. An initial report by the Charles Darwin Foundation attributed just six animal deaths to the spill as favourable winds and sea currents helped push most of the slick into the open sea. But a study in the 6 June issue of the journal Nature estimated that as many as 15,000 marine iguanas died on the Galapagos' Santa Fe Island in the 11 months after the spill. Following the Nature report, Guayaquil Supreme Court president Miguel Felix summoned three witnesses in a lawsuit filed by the Galapagos National Park. The trio are expected to testify this week. The Galapagos National Park last year sued Petroecuador, Ecuador's state-owned oil company and owner of the spilled oil; ship insurer Teranova; ship owner Acotramar; and ship Captain Tarquino Arevalo. Ider Valverde, a lawyer for the Galapagos National Park, said that the lawsuit seeks more than $14m in damages. Felix summoned Teranova director Michael Derrick, Acotramar representative Laura Maldonado and Luis Gonzalez from the marine terminal in La Libertad, the tanker's embarkation port, it was reported. Report co-author Princeton University ecologist Martin Wikelski said he was uncertain why the Santa Fe iguanas died but he suspects it was because of the spilled oil. Although relatively small amounts of oil washed ashore on Santa Fe, it was enough to disrupt the intestinal bacteria the ocean-diving creatures rely on to digest algae, he said. The overall marine iguana population on the 13 main Galapagos Islands naturally ranges between 40,000 and 300,000, Wikelski said in the study. The large number of deaths in 2001 pose little long-term risk to the marine iguana population since it frequently is decimated by food shortages, he said.

28 July 2002 – Doric Chariot (Greece)

Bulk Doric Chariot (38,779gt, built 1994), laden with coal, has run aground on a sandbank off Australia's far north-east coast, officials said today. There were no immediate reports of cargo leaks. Doric Chariot hit a sandbank early today on the southern end of Piper Reef, about 1,250 miles north of the Queensland state capital city of Brisbane, state Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer said. Bredhauer said the vessel had a large load of coal and was heading to India via Singapore. It also was carrying 375 tonnes of fuel oil and 37 tonnes of diesel oil. The number of crew on board was not immediately known. Bredhauer said preliminary investigations by the crew had found no obvious damage to the vessel, or cargo leaks. A tug boat was on its way to help tow the vessel off the sandbar. Marine officials and salvage crews were also heading to the site, he added.

29 July 2002 – Bulk Doric Chariot grounded on Piper Reef in latitude 12 15.59S, longitude 143 15.3E at 1800, UTC, 28 July. No obvious damage. No fuel or oil leaks. A salvage tug is en route and due on scene tomorrow. (Note – Doric Chariot sailed Hay Point 26 July for India.)

29 July 2002 – Bulk Doric Chariot is still aground and stable. Weather is good and tides will improve as week goes on. A salvor has not been appointed yet.

29 July 2002 – An anti-pollution boat and a heavy duty boom remain on standby as authorities keep a close eye on fully-loaded bulk Doric Chariot, which ran aground 600km north of Cairns. Doric Chariot ploughed into Piper Reef near Lockhart River this morning. Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer says no fuel has been reported leaking from the vessel, and the pilot has been stood-down pending a full investigation. The master and 22 crew remain on board. Salvage experts will examine the vessel tomorrow. The Maritime Union says there is a threat that the bulk coal carrier could break in two. The Queensland government says there is no obvious sign of damage to the vessel, but Mick Carr from the Maritime Union says the vessel is resting on its stern, with the bough seven metres out of the water. "In respect of stresses or hogging and sagging in that vessel, depending how it's laying and what the current tides are," he said. "If she is that far up and she's being sort of balanced by her stern, there's a very real danger for that vessel to break in two. If that were to happen the environmental impacts would be absolutely disastrous."

30 July 2002 – Chios Navigation has denied claims that bulk Doric Chariot, aground on a sandbank near the Great Barrier Reef, is at risk of breaking in two. The vessel was on route to Singapore ex-Hay Point, and laden with 62,000 tonnes of BHP Billiton-produced coking coal, when the incident occurred just before dawn yesterday. Salvage crews and a tug were yesterday dispatched to the scene near the remote area known as Piper's Reef, 600km north of Cairns, and were expected to arrive today. Doric Chariot was being piloted by an Australian navigator at the time. The number of crew members on board was not immediately known. According to Maritime Union of Australia official Mick Carr, speaking on ABC radio, the vessel was resting on its bow and could be at risk of breaking apart. "The bow could be up to seven metres up on the reef," he said. "Perhaps, if that's the case, it would only be floating on its stern. If the stresses are that much, the ship may break in two," he said. However, a spokesman for Chios Navigation, which represents the owning company, said the grounding was not serious. "There is no danger of pollution, no danger to the environment and no danger to the ship or crew," he insisted.

30 July 2002 – An Australian navigator had been on board bulk Doric Chariot stranded on the Great Barrier Reef for 50 hours before it ran aground, the Queensland government has said. The revelation followed concerns raised by environmentalists that pilot fatigue could lead to errors, spelling disaster for the reef. The Federal government also said the fact that a piloted vessel ran aground required explanation. But the Queensland government said it believed appropriate fatigue management plans were in place. Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer said the pilot, who has been routinely stood down pending further investigation, was at the bridge of the vessel when it ran aground off the southern end of Piper Reef. Mr Bredhauer said he believed the pilot had rested during his time on the vessel, according to regulations. "The pilot had been on the vessel for 50 hours, but advice to me indicates that he had periods of rest during that time," Mr Bredhauer said. "When he was sleeping he would have left instructions for the master of the vessel, who is always in charge of the vessel, but I am advised that the pilot was on the bridge at the time of the incident." "It's not uncommon for a single pilot to be on board for a period of that duration and providing the fatigue management plan has been followed and he has taken the appropriate rest periods and slept during that period of time, then it shouldn't be a problem," he said. "But those are matters which should be fully investigated by the appropriate investigating teams." Doric Chariot remained grounded today after efforts to refloat using its own engines at high tide last night failed. Two tugs are en route to help the stranded vessel, which is carrying 53,000 tonnes of coking coal and 400 tonnes of fuel and oil. The vessel, with 22 crew on board, is not expected to be refloated until at least the end of the week, when more favourable tidal conditions are expected. A salvage plan was being discussed today by the ship's London-based owners, Chios Navigation, with Queensland authorities and a local salvage expert. Mr Bredhauer said an investigation, including examining the issue of pilot fatigue, would be carried out by Queensland Transport's maritime division, who would cooperate fully should any further investigations be undertaken by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority or the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. He said the extent of damage to the vessel and the reef would not be known until the vessel was refloated. However, early indications were that limited damage had occurred and no oil or cargo had spilled. Federal Environment Minister David Kemp later said the government was awaiting a report on the incident. He said the government was keen to ensure pilotage services were effective. "It's important that pilotage services be effective and … I've asked for a full report on this incident to assure myself these services are adequate to protect the reef," Mr Kemp said in Sydney. The fact that a piloted vessel ran aground was something that needed explanation, he said.

31 July 2002 – Authorities say bulk Doric Chariot and its cargo remains intact where it ran aground on Piper Reef, 600km north-west from Cairns, two days ago. Adsteam Marine's Captain, Chris Green, says one tug will arrive from Townsville today, another will leave Brisbane tomorrow and others are on standby. He says the salvage team on board will be bolstered from two to six and efforts to refloat the vessel will probably be made at the weekend. "Late last night we received their initial report and we are now working very hard to get in place additional personnel and equipment and tugs," Mr Green said. "The vessel is obviously stuck hard and we're looking to get the tugs and ground tackle to match the requirement that the vessel is in." Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokesman Ben Mitchell says investigations into the incident are stepping up with the arrival of a marine surveyor on board the vessel. "We've placed a marine surveyor on board to examine the vessel and we've also detained the vessel to prevent it from leaving Australia while the Transport Safety Bureau conducts an investigation into the incident," Mr Mitchell said. Meanwhile, Queensland Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer says emergency response units remain on high alert in the area despite reports that the vessel is intact and unlikely to leak its cargo. He has rejected calls from environmental groups for a ban on shipping on the Great Barrier Reef. An environmental official says the owner of the vessel could face fines of up to $1.1m. Virginia Chadwick, head of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, says the vessel was near important turtle and bird nesting sites, as well as the subsistence fishing grounds of traditional Aboriginal communities 600km north of Cairns. "By definition it would have caused damage because having become stuck as it has the anti-fouling paint known as TBT will now be off," Ms Chadwick said. "Anti-fouling paint is there to kill organisms, so if that paint escapes, and some of it will have rubbed off, that getting on any coral in the area will kill it." Seeking to protect the Great Barrier Reef after a series of maritime accidents, Australia last year raised tenfold to $1.1m the maximum fine for vessels damaging the reef. The reef, which stretches 2,300km along the Queensland coast, is a World Heritage site and major tourist attraction. Ms Chadwick says marine park officials are yet to carry out an underwater assessment of the vessel. Asked if the hefty new fines might be levied on the ship's owner, Chios Navigation, she answered: "Absolutely." It would be up to the marine park to decide whether charges should be brought, officials said.

1 August 2002 – The grounding of the coal-laden bulk Doric Chariot could cause the Australian government to have second thoughts about a commercial market for pilotage on the Barrier Reef, an Australian pilot suggested yesterday. Great Barrier Reef pilot Captain Peter Small, in Hamburg for the International Maritime Pilot's Congress, said that the latest grounding was one of several that had occurred since the government forced competition between pilots operating up and down the environmentally sensitive Queensland coast. The pilot on board the northbound coal carrier, said to have been asleep when the vessel failed to make a course change and grounded on Piper's Reef, 330 nautical miles north of Cairns, was employed by the new pilot organisation established to provide competition to the Australian Reef Pilots operation. Since the effective monopoly of the long established Torres Strait and reef pilotage was challenged, there have been consistent allegations that safety was being prejudiced, and that less well-trained marine pilots were being employed by the competing pilotage company, despite being licensed by the Australian Marine Safety Agency. Meanwhile the operation to tow the vessel off is gearing up. Salvor Adsteam Marine, contracted to refloat the vessel, is gathering tugs and ground tackle from Townsville and Brisbane with a team of experts already on board the bulker. The vessel remains hard aground, but is stable with no pollution. Options include the removal of bunkers and water to lighten the ship, or the lightening of some of the coal cargo, which would be facilitated by the availability of ships' gear. The extent of any bottom damage has yet to be determined. An AM SA surveyor has also arrived on board the vessel and an investigation into the circumstances of the grounding has begun. The ship has been detained, to prevent it leaving Australian waters while the investigation proceeds. Environmental interests have protested at the grounding, urging the Queensland government to levy the fines of more than A$lm (US$526m) which are now possible under new legislation. Marine park authorities have pointed to the risk of contamination from anti-fouling paint and possible damage to turtle and bird nesting areas, if the ship's bunkers escape.

1 August 2002 – Attempts to salve bulk Doric Chariot will not begin until Tuesday (6 August) when tides will be most favourable for a successful effort. At least two, and probably four, salvage tugs will be used in the rescue bid. Captain Chris Green, from salvors Adsteam Marine, said today there were no unforeseen problems associated with the rescue but that there were always unknowns in any such operation.

2 August 2002 – Authorities have interviewed a pilot who was on the bridge of bulk Doric Chariot that ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef. Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokesman Ben Mitchell said AM SA had spent the past few days talking to the crew of the vessel. Representatives began interviewing the pilot today. "It will be an extensive interview," he said. The Queensland government revealed earlier this week the navigator had been on board the vessel for 50 hours before it grounded. The news followed concerns raised by environmentalists that pilot fatigue could lead to errors, spelling disaster for the reef. However, Federal Environment Minister David Kemp said people should not make prejudgments about the cause of the ship's collision with the sandbar. Salvage company Adsteam Marine said tugs from Brisbane and Mackay were on their way to the site and were expected to arrive on Tuesday (6 August). A straightforward refloating operation would probably begin on Tuesday or Wednesday, spokesman Captain Chris Green said.

5 August 2002 – The owners of bulk Doric Chariot have issued a formal apology over the vessel's grounding on Piper Reef last week. The vessel is operated by London-based Greek ship-owners Chios Navigation and shown as entered with the UK Mutual Steam Ship P&I club. The vessel is still stranded and another attempt to refloat it is expected on tomorrow's high tide (6 August). Adsteam said that three tugs will be used in the attempt, which will not require the use of the vessel's own engines or ground tackle. The owners said they have been cooperating with Australian authorities and are working to avoid damaging the reef.

6 August 2002 – An attempt will be made to refloat stranded bulk Doric Chariot at high tide tonight. Adsteam Marine is in charge of the salvage operation and remains confident the ship can be safely refloated.

6 August 2002 – Attempts to pull bulk Doric Chariot off a far north Queensland sandbank have begun. Salvage experts hoped to have the vessel free before high tide tonight. Queensland Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer said tow lines had been attached to three tugs and ballast pumped from the vessel in preparation for the refloat attempt set to start at 1600 hrs. Oil spill containment equipment had been set up around the vessel as a precaution, although there was still no indication of damage to the vessel or the surrounding area. Mr Bredhauer said the salvage team hoped to have the vessel afloat well before high tide, which was due at 2039, AEST. Once free, the vessel would be towed approximately 2km north of the reef where it would be inspected by authorities.

6 August 2002 – Bulk Doric Chariot is free of the far north Queensland sandbank where it went aground just over a week ago. A spokesman for salvage company Adsteam Marine, said three tugs had freed the ship at 1747, AEST. Adsteam Marine Chief Excutive Officer Clay Frederick said an initial inspection had revealed little damage to the hull apart from a small dent in the bow. Pollution control equipment was set up in case it was needed, but Mr Frederick said there had been no problems with the operation. "Initial inspection of the hull confirms our previous view that she was not damaged," Mr Frederick said. "There is a little bit of a dent in the bow, but no structural damage to the hull." Three tugs, Werra from Townsville, Brighton from Port Moresby and Redcliffe, from Brisbane, began their efforts to move the vessel mid-afternoon as the tide began to rise. Another tug, Otto Assman, from Mourilyan, was on standby in case it was needed and to help steer the vessel, which was freed almost three hours before high tide. "Everything went according to expectations," Mr Frederick said. Mr Frederick said the vessel was being anchored a few kilometres away from the reef. "At first light tomorrow we expect that there will be divers down to inspect the hull. "Also surveyors will inspect it internally as well as externally before they give the sign off that it's OK to continue the voyage." Mr Frederick said if the vessel was cleared, it was expected to resume its voyage to India.

7 August 2002 – Chios Navigation bulk Doric Chariot was yesterday freed from the sandbank near the Great Barrier Reef where it grounded last week. Three tugs from Adsteam Marine managed to refloat the vessel, while a fourth was on standby. No leakage of the 375 tonnes of fuel oil or the 37 tonnes of diesel on board was reported. According to Adsteam, the only visible sign of damage was "a little bit of a dent" in the bow. A Chios spokesman in London added: "It [the refloat] went according to plan. It was totally uneventful." The vessel is now safely at anchor, he added, and was due to be inspected by Register today. If the classification society gives the all clear, the ship will continue its voyage. There were reports on news agencies that Chios faces fines of up to A$l.lm (US$600,000) for any environmental damage caused. However, the company said that it was not expecting to have to pay anything like that amount. "From what we have seen, the damage to the reef was minimal," said the spokesman. Samples are set to be taken to ascertain the extent of any damage. However, the company believes that the area of impact was small.

7 August 2002 – Bulk Doric Chariot is currently still anchored two/three miles off the Great Barrier Reef. A decision on whether it will proceed or otherwise, following the inspection, is awaited.

The owners and two crew members of bulk Doric Chariot which ran aground in far north Queensland have been charged over damage to the Great Barrier Reef. A scientific team from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority conducted surveys of the area and has found a 50m by 30m gash in the coral. Authority chairwoman Virginia Chadwick says there appears to be 1,500m² of coral damage and paint contamination. The vessel's master, second mate and owners have been charged for a contravention to the Act dealing with damage to the Marine Park caused by a vessel. The provision carries a maximum penalty of $1.1m. The matters were brought before the court today with no plea entered. The summonses have been adjourned for further hearing until September.

8 August 2002 – The owner, master and second officer of bulk Doric Chariot were charged yesterday with damaging the Great Barrier Reef and could face hefty fines. No plea was entered to summonses answered in Cairns Magistrates' Court and the matter was adjourned until 23 September. The charges came under Section 38MC of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act and have a maximum penalty of $l.lm. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said a team yesterday identified a 50m by 30m gash in the coral of Piper Reef, 600km north of Cairns. There was also contamination by tributal tin (TBT) anti-fouling paint.

8 August 2002 – Bulk Doric Chariot got under way this morning and is proceeding "out of the area". No specific destination has been confirmed.