Almost 60 vessels a year are reported grounded or sunk in Great Barrier Reef waters, with recreational skippers who damage the Reef potentially facing hefty fines.
The figures come as the Reef Authority and other agencies work with an insurance company and salvage teams to recover a luxury Oyster 825 yacht after it sank in the Whitsundays.
The 82.5ft (25m) “Viva La Vida” hit a rocky reef and capsized off Long Island – with all 10 crew onboard safely rescued unhurt – during Hamilton Island Race Week on Friday.
Officials have anchored the upturned wreck to minimise potential of catastrophic grounding, with no reports of any diesel spillage.
Salvage experts have stabilised the 56-tonne wreck on the surface with lift bags and hope to remove the mast and rigging and tow the vessel to Mackay in the coming week.
All operations are weather dependent, and severe conditions may delay the salvage operations.
It follows the average 58 groundings and sinkings reported annually across the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park over the past five years, ranging from 38 to 77 incidents a year.
Actual penalties depend on the circumstances and severity of individual incidents, with the largest fine imposed under this provision in recent years well under $10,000.
The Reef Authority says groundings happen more often than many people realise – and the true number is likely higher because not every incident is reported.
Reef Authority Field Management Strategy Director Dr Mark Read said the priority is always human safety.
“It is fortunate no-one was hurt and all crew onboard were quickly rescued in this latest incident.
“We understand the multi-million-dollar yacht Viva La Vida hit the rock sailing at high speed and tore off the lower part of the keel.
“It quickly capsized and was adrift. The inter-island passages of the Whitsunday Islands are notoriously difficult to navigate.
“The yacht was part of the Oyster World Rally fleet on a 27,000 nautical-mile circumnavigation of the globe.”
Dr Read said even small vessels could cause significant damage to sensitive coral habitat.
“Corals can be broken, crushed or dislodged in seconds, while recovery can take years,” he said.
Under Marine Park legislation, the maximum penalty for a vessel causing damage is 1000 penalty units – currently $364,000.
Dr Read urged recreational skippers to maintain a proper lookout, know their location and take particular care when navigating near coral reefs.
“The Collision Regulations exist for a reason – to protect lives and property,” he said.
“The responsibility is on every skipper to know the rules, remain vigilant and navigate safely.”
The Reef Authority works closely with Queensland Water Police, Maritime Safety Queensland and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to respond to maritime incidents in the Marine Park.
