2010-04-04 18:47

BRISBANE - All the crew members are safe after a Chinese coal ship ran aground off the eastern coast of Australia on Saturday, said Chinese Consul-general in Brisbane Ren Gongping on Sunday.

Ren told Xinhua that the 230-meter-long bulk coal carrier Shen Neng 1 ran aground about 70 km east of Great Keppel island in Queensland state shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The vessel, carrying 950 tons of heavy fuel oil and 65,000 tons of coal, is bound for China.

Ren said he had phoned the captain of the carrier, Wang Jichang, who told Ren that drinking water and food are enough for the 23 crew members. The incident caused no injuries to the crew.

The consul-general said the captain told him the incident is not serious and repair is underway.

Ren added that he was very much concerned about the safety of the Chinese crew and he had contacted the local police immediately after learning the incident. The police had assured Ren that they would try their best to safeguard the crew in case of an emergency.

Three police ships have reached the area and are ready to take the crew to safe place from the coal carrier.