Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Atlantic-Tsubaki

In a significant ruling, the chief officer and owner of the bulk carrier 'Iron Gate' have been convicted and fined by Australian authorities for illegally dumping trash into the ocean. This incident highlights the ongoing commitment to preserving Australia's protected waters. Although the fines amounted to a modest approximate total of US$5,000, officials emphasized that the primary concern was the irresponsible act of discarding waste in sensitive marine environments. The violation occurred in 2018 during a voyage from Brisbane to Gladstone. According to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the chief officer sanctioned the dumping of food waste about 13 nautical miles southeast of Lady Elliot Island, an area situated within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Brisbane Magistrates Court deemed the chief officer's actions unacceptable, stressing the importance of protecting Australia's unique natural resources. The amount of food waste discarded was comparable to that of a standard 30-gallon household garbage can. Under the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983, any food waste dumping is strictly prohibited within 12 nautical miles of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park boundaries, underscoring the seriousness of such environmental breaches.