SYDNEY, April 12 (UPI) -- Australian authorities said they re-floated a Chinese coal carrier that hit the Great Barrier Reef nine days ago, spilling two tons of oil into the water.
Since the Shen Neng I cleared Douglass Shoal off the Queensland coast, salvage crews said said Monday they will assess the ship's hull before attempting to tow it to safety, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
Officials said they were working to bring the vessel to a safer anchorage ahead of a predicted storm expected to bring gale force winds and heavy seas.
The Queensland government announced recently it would enact tougher penalties against companies involved in oil spills, but the legislation, expected to be introduced in Parliament this week, won't be retroactive, the ABC reported.
