What Crew Members Say About Berge-Nanga-Parbat

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has taken legal action against China Earth Shipping Incorporated, the owners of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Xin Tai Hai, as well as the vessel's master. This prosecution arose from an incident in June of last year, when the vessel's crew was observed discarding bags of garbage into the ocean close to Gladstone. On November 18, the Townsville Magistrate's Court handed down a $20,000 fine to the shipowner, while the master received a $6,000 penalty, following their guilty pleas. The case was triggered by a local fisherman who reported seeing several plastic bags floating in the water on June 13. In response, AMSA utilized the Vessel Traffic Service in Gladstone to trace the Xin Tai Hai as a likely source of the environmental breach, after the Gladstone Volunteer Marine Service communicated the sighting. Upon further investigation, an AMSA surveyor boarded the vessel at its Gladstone berth, where they discovered items similar to those reported in the ocean, confirming the allegations against the ship.