Shen Neng 1 could have been taking shortcut

Brisbane: The bulker Shen Neng 1 grounded on the Great Barrier Reef may have been trying to take a short cut, according to local reports. The Cosco-owned Shen Neng 1 was 15km out of the shipping lane and according to the Courier Sun near a known shortcut between reefs in Queesland. Local fishermen report seeing a bulker a day take the illegal shortcut through the reef. Greens Leader Bob Brown is calling for action over ships using the shortcut through the Great Barrier Reef. "Nothing has been done about it by the authorities," Brown was reported as saying. "Now that is one of the matters that needs to be cleared up and I will be busying myself today to establish where the Australian Federal Police are in their enquiries about how this disastrous situation has arisen." Meanwhile a preliminary damage report by salvors Switzer confirmed initial damage reports. Initial damage reports showed the main engine room was breached, the main engine damaged and the rudder seriously damaged. "This preliminary report is an important first step in determining the best options for getting the vessel off the shoal. But it will be a difficult process that could take some time," said Peter Quirk, general manager of Queensland Maritime Safety. [06/04/10]