Tanker strays near Ningaloo
A shipping company has been forced to apologise after one of its oil tankers dropped anchor within a restricted zone in the Ningaloo Marine Park, coming perilously close to coral reefs.
Only weeks after a Chinese vessel ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef, the tanker Carmel - managed by Cardiff Marine - strayed inside the pristine waters on Anzac Day and remained anchored for more than a day.
Local whale shark tourism operators reported it to authorities.
Last night, State Environment Minister Donna Faragher ordered an urgent update from the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Sea Breeze Resort managing director Axel Passeck told _The West Australian _ the tanker was the size of Subiaco Oval. He was stunned that it could get so close to the shore and the marine park unnoticed.
Mr Passeck said after he complained to local authorities, the tanker was identified as being contracted to pick up oil for BP from Woodside's Enfield oil field, about 40km off North West Cape, on April 27.
BP was not in control of the tanker at the time.
"It took several days for the vessel to be identified . . . it says a lot about the protection and detection of the border and environment," Mr Passeck said.
In an apology email to Mr Passeck, Cardiff Marine manager Steve Hailwood said the vessel was anchored within the recreational zone area off Exmouth, even though information had been provided on board that this area was a tanker exclusion zone.
"Our investigation has concluded that despite being advised to contact local agents for advice on anchoring, the Master decided to anchor, on his own, in the position that he did, unaware of the importance of previously provided information," he said.
The tanker captain is facing disciplinary action from the company and admitted he made a "serious error of judgment".
A spokesman for BP said yesterday the company investigated the incident even though the vessel was not under its control because the incident was "a matter of concern".
Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren said: "After the damage caused by the Chinese tanker grounding on Douglas Shoal you would think the Government would make sure our protected Ningaloo Reef was not in any danger of damage."
