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Owner and Master Fined for Discharge in Great Barrier Reef

GBR

Published Jul 23, 2015 2:52 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has successfully prosecuted the master and owners of the Hong Kong registered bulk carrier ANL Kardinia for illegally dumping garbage in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

One Armania Shipping and the master of ANL Kardinia were found guilty on July 20 in the Townsville Magistrates Court on one charge each of illegally disposing of garbage under the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983.

The illegal discharge took place on February 13, 2015 and was detected by an AMSA inspector during a routine port state control inspection in Brisbane on 16 February 2015.

The AMSA Inspector examined ANL Kardinia’s Garbage Record Book and discovered an entry for a discharge of food waste within the prohibited discharge area of the Great Barrier Reef.

One Armania Shipping was fined A$4,000 ($3,000) and the master was fined A$300 ($220) for the illegal discharge.

AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said masters and owners of vessels should be warned that the illegal discharge of ships’ waste would not be tolerated in Australian waters.