Bulk Carrier Busted for Dumping Garbage at Great Barrier Reef - ΣΚΟΥΠΙΔΙΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΑ

....το πλήρωμα είχε την ευγενή καλοσύνη να πετάξει τα τρόφιμα, τουλάχιστον, για να φάνε τα ψάρια κλπ, που ζουν στην περιοχή, η οποία μάλιστα προστατεύεται από διεθνείς οργανισμούς.

Επειδή η εμπειρία σε αυτή την ήπειρο έχει δείξει ότι δεν παίζουν σε θέματα ασφάλειας και περιβάλλοντος, θα πληρώσουν γενναία. Τα πλοία που έπιαναν λιμάνι στην Αυστραλία, εάν δεν τηρούσαν στο έπακρο την ασφάλεια εξαρτισμού και λοιπά.. θα περίμεναν μέχρι να τακτοποιηθούν όλες οι ελλείψεις και μετά να γίνει οποιαδήποτε εμπορική πράξη. Ατελείωτες αλλαγές στα συρματόσχοινα, και με γάσες δικής τους εφαρμογής....

Να τα έχουμε υπ' όψιν μας και στην εδώ πλευρά. Η Μεσόγειος είναι μεγάλη αλλά  και  κλειστή θάλασσα.

The Liberian-registered MV Iron Gate. File Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Graham Flett

Mike Schuler           March 5, 2021

Australia has fined the chief officer and operator of a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier for dumping garbage into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

An investigation by Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) revealed that the chief officer of the MV Iron Gate had approved the discharge of garbage overboard as the ship was about 13 nautical miles from Lady Elliot Island, well within Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, during a voyage from Brisbane and Gladstone in 2018. Officials said a 120-liter household garbage bin full of food waste was dumped.

Under the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983, food waste cannot be discharged within 12 nautical miles from boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. AMSA General Manager Operations, Allan Schwartz, said the law was important to help protect Australia’s precious marine environment from the impacts of shipping.

“Australians and tourists alike visit Lady Elliot Island to swim with mantra rays and turtles – not blended food waste from merchant ships,” Schwartz said.

“We take a zero-tolerance approach to pollution from shipping and that is why, after detecting this breach during a routine inspection of Iron Gate in 2018, we detained the ship and later charged the chief officer and company, Kairasu Shipping S.A.,” he added.

In total, the fines against the officer and company amounted to $6,600, but perhaps the biggest punishment is the hit to their reputations.

“Dumping garbage into the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef isn’t something you want on your professional record,” said Schwartz. “These convictions should serve as a reminder to other industry operators that in Australia, we make sure polluters pay.”

gcaptain.com