Many authorities in Australia are currently in a struggle to prevent a vessel from damaging the Great Barrier Reef. This landmark is one of the biggest tourist attractions in all of Australia.

According to reports, the Chinese registered Shen Neng 1 is currently grounded on Douglas Shoals, which is well outside of established shipping lanes. Right now environmentalists are fearful that this ship could spill hundreds of tonnes of oil into the ocean.

Queensland officials have warned that the operation to salvage the vessel could take up to a month to complete. The bulk carrier is precariously balanced off the east coast of Great Keppel Island. The crew remains on board in preparation for any potential re-floating.

Kevin Rudd, the Australian prime minister, has branded the actions of the Chinese crew as outrageous and warned of potentially huge fines for the mistake. Mr Rudd went on to say that, where he is sitting, it is simply outrageous to find any vessel that far off course that it could actually run into the Great Barrier Reef.

The chairman of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Leo Zussino, said that there is no evidence of a threat to the Central Oueensland coast at this point in time. The professional sailors remain on board and are waiting for the assessment, which is looking quite promising. Either way there is a lot of work to be done to be able to determine the way forward in removing this vessel from the reef. The goal is to get the ship off the reef, fix it up, and send it on its way again.