Ship a threat to the reef
Korean sailors could have caused ‘catastrophic’ damage to marine park
A PAIR of South Korean sailors who directed a huge bulk carrier vessel kilometres across the Great Barrier Reef could have caused “catastrophic” damage to the marine park.
Han Su Pak, 52, and Chungwayng Yu, 55, were not present during their sentence in Townsville Magistrates Court, where both faced a charge of engage in conduct in a zone/ under zoning plan that is prohibited or requires permission. On March 16, 2022, Pak, who was chief operator of the 289m bulk carrier, and Yu, the ship’s master, drifted out of a designated shipping area and into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park via Palm Passage, offshore of Townsville.
The court heard that vessel tracking technology found the ship had travelled 14km from the designated shipping zone, at a speed of 12 knots (22.22km/h) for 25km, before exiting the area. The court heard that their route had been logged on a passage plan that was drawn up by a navigational officer before they departed South Korea, and had been signed off by both Yu and Pak.
During an interview with authorities, Yu denied there had been an issue with the ship’s navigational equipment.
It was heard that if a vessel had drifted off its planned course, a GPS would have notified the sailors. Magistrate Ross Mack said it was “lucky” the vessel had been in deep waters during the hour they were sailing through the reef and that their actions were “careless”.
“He was heading straight to the reef, he would have carved into it,” Mr Mack said.
Defence barrister Claire Grant agreed the damage could have been “catastrophic”, but said no harm had come to the reef.
She added that the men had not received a “commercial” gain from the offence, and that their employers had since updated their planning system.
Mr Mack said it was “hard to comprehend” how the accident had happened.
“I accept the company and these two men will never make this mistake again.”
Yu was hit with a $40,105.35 fine.
Pak was ordered to pay $35,105.35 for the offence.