Australian Federal Police have arrested a Chinese coal ship captain for allegedly sailing his bulk carrier through the Great Barrier Reef without a pilot.
The ABC reported a Taiwanese national named Lu had pleaded guilty to navigating a vessel through a compulsory pilotage area of the marine park in a Newcastle court.
It is alleged on January 1 this year Lu sailed his vessel 'Chinese Steel Developer' through Hydrographers Passage off Mackay in Queensland.
Vessels are required to have a pilot in the Great Barrier Reef by law and face a maximum fine of up to AU$85,000 for failing to do so.
In 2010 a Chinese oil tanker, 'Shen Neng 1', ran aground on coral in the Great Barrier Reef, leaving a four kilometre-long oil slick. Little coral regrowth has been reported in the area since.
Photo: Sarah Ackerman