Qld: Authorities poised to start pumping

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2010
Qld: Authorities poised to start pumping

(FOR MORNING ISSUE)



BRISBANE, April 9 AAP - Authorities are poised to begin pumping 950 tonnes of heavy
oil from a stricken coal carrier grounded in the Great Barrier Reef.

The Chinese-registered Shen Neng 1 is stuck on a protected part of the reef off the
central Queensland coast near Rockhampton after crashing into it at full speed on Saturday.

Massive booms have been placed adjacent to the ship to contain possible spills as authorities
prepare to pump 950 tonnes of heavy oil from the vessel in the salvage attempt.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) on Thursday tested the 200-metre booms that form a
J configuration between the coal carrier and a tug and pumping could begin as early as
Friday.

"We need to get this right and be satisfied we have all our risk management measures
in place before we start pumping oil off the ship," MSQ general manager Patrick Quirk
said.

"We're not going to rush into this operation - we want to manage the risk and manage it closely."

The oil will be pumped from the vessel in daylight hours to ensure any spills are immediately
picked up.

Contingency plans are in place in case there is any spillage.

AAP jmm/dep

KEYWORD: CARRIER AM UPDATE

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