Qld: Reef damage worse than first thought
By Jordan Baker
TOWNSVILLE, Aug 8 AAP - The Doric Chariot resumed its voyage to India today leavingbehind damage to Great Barrier Reef coral that could take centuries to recover.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) revised its estimate of the areadamaged from 1,500 square metres of coral to 3,500 square metres.
It also said the ship's impact broke several boulder corals, causing the death of reeforganisms that could be hundreds of years old.
The 225-metre, 73,000-tonne bulk carrier was freed on Tuesday after grounding on areef 600km north of Cairns on July 29.
Its owners have been charged under a new provision of the Great Barrier Reef MarinePark Act dealing with damage caused by a vessel.
They face a fine of up to $1.1 million.
A spokesman for the ship's management said the coal carrier had been declared seaworthyand was now heading towards its original destination, India.
The Doric Chariot would remain in Australian waters for a few more days as it sailedacross the top of Australia, a spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authoritysaid.
GBRMPA executive director Andrew Skeat said the damaged area was now understood tobe 50 metres long by 70 metres wide and up to 16 metres deep.
"The impact dislodged and broke several boulder corals, causing the death of severalof these very old reef organisms," he said.
"These organisms could be many hundreds of years old - clearly it will take that lengthof time for the reef to recover."
Mr Skeat said GBRMPA divers would return to the site this weekend to prepare a rehabilitationplan for the area.
"The major issues will be preventing erosion on the reef slope, and that will involvereplacing large boulders and broken debris," he said.
"Another issue is cleaning up the antifouling paint in the scar, which includes Tri-Butyltin, which is particularly toxic in the marine environment."
The tin is particularly damaging to coral larvae.
AAP jb/jfs/mg
KEYWORD: SHIP
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