Tides key to Barrier Reef ship salvage

The Doric Chariot is laden with coal, prompting fears of a potential environmental disaster

TOWNSVILLE, Australia (CNN) -- Attempts to salvage a cargo ship stuck on a sandbar near Australia's Great Barrier Reef will not begin until Tuesday when tides will be most favorable for a successful effort.

At least two, and probably four, salvage tugs will be used in the rescue bid.

The Greek-owned bulk carrier, Doric Chariot, ran aground on a sandbar on Piper's Reef -- part of the Great Barrier Reef complex -- early last Monday morning.

Captain Chris Green, from salvage firm Adsteam Marine, told CNN Thursday there were no unforeseen problems associated with the rescue but that there were always unknowns in any such operation.

"It's a matter of getting all your equipment in place and getting all your calculations correct before you make your attempt," he said.

The ship was carrying 53,000 tonnes of Australian coking coal bound for India when it struck the sandbar about 600 kilometers north of Cairns near the far northeastern tip of Australia.

The grounding has revived fears of pollution in the Barrier Reef region and prompted renewed calls for stricter control of shipping in the coastal waters adjacent to the Reef.

Inquiries

While it appears the ship has sustained minimal damage so far, if the weather was to change suddenly and the vessel to split open, the impact on the reef's ecosystem would be potentially catastrophic.

Two inquiries into the accident are underway.

Australia's Federal Environment Minister, David Kemp, said Thursday the owners of the ship could face fines of up to $1 million if it was found their negligence contributed to the accident.

The ship is the second to run aground near the Reef in the past two years, exacerbating the fears of environmental groups who want all shipping in the area banned.

But the government maintains such a stance is impractical given the extent of Australia's shipping trade operating from the nation's populous eastern coast.

Tourist magnet

The world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest living organism and runs for almost 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) from near Papua New Guinea down Australia's northeast coast.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the reef each year to view the colorful coral and diverse marine life.

The government recently flagged new regulations requiring all shipping in the Great Barrier Reef area to use an Australian pilot in the northern reaches of the reef.

An Australian pilot was on the bridge of the Doric Chariot when it ran aground and he has been compulsorily stood down until the inquiries are concluded.

A Malaysian container ship ran aground on the reef in November 2000 causing physical damage to the coral and also polluting the surrounding waters.