A joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has resulted in a ship’s master being charged with failing to take on a pilot prior to navigating the Great Barrier Reef.

It was alleged in court that on the 1st of January 2015 the master of the ‘China Steel Developer’ attempted to depart Australian waters through Hydrographers Passage, a compulsory pilotage area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, without a pilot on board.
On Saturday 14 February 2015, AFP officers and investigators from GBRMPA met the China Steel Developer soon after it docked in the Port of Newcastle.

A 66-year-old Taiwanese national was arrested and charged with:

• Being the master of a ship that navigates without a pilot in the compulsory pilot area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, contrary to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth)

GBRMPA General Manager Andrew Skeat said all shipping companies should heed the rules on the use of compulsory pilots.

“For certain sections of the Great Barrier Reef and for particular types of vessels, the use of pilots is mandatory because they greatly enhance protection of animals, habitats and sensitive areas of the Marine Park, including coral reefs,” Mr Skeat said.

“The Marine Park is one of the most regulated shipping areas in the world, with compulsory pilots forming one aspect of a comprehensive system that also includes the use of designated shipping areas, vessel traffic monitoring, and mandatory vessel reporting.

“I’m pleased to see the matter was quickly identified and dealt with by all the relevant authorities, ensuring the vessel had not travelled far into the compulsory pilotage area.

“The potential environmental, economic and social consequences could have been severe if an unescorted voyage had gone wrong.

“We would urge all commercial shipping companies to abide by the rules and understand they’re designed to safeguard a critical ecosystem.”

The Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic (REEFVTS) in Townsville detected the ship in the compulsory pilotage area and took action to stop the ship travelling further.

REEFVTS is a joint service operated by Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Maritime Safety Queensland.

China Steel Developer returned to the pilot boarding area before leaving Australian waters via Hydrographers Passage, with a pilot onboard.

“This shows the vital role of the REEFVTS in detecting the ship and ensuring it did not navigate through this compulsory pilotage area without a pilot onboard, as required,” AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said.

AFP Manager Crime Operations, Commander Jennifer Hurst said the AFP regularly works with partner agencies in cases such as this.

“The protection of nationally significant assets such as the Great Barrier Reef is a matter that the AFP takes seriously. We are pleased that this joint investigation has resulted in today’s outcome,” said Commander Hurst.

The matter was heard in the Newcastle local court today (16 February 2015) and will be back in court tomorrow (17 February) for sentencing.

The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of $85,000.

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