154,000-dwt MV China Steel Developer (built 1998) had left Mackay on 1 January 2015 bound for Newcastle when it approached the restricted section.
Captain Lu Chih-Ming told a local court that he made inquiries via radio of when a pilot would be boarding the China Steel Express Corp.'s bulker.
Captain Lu Chih-Ming claimed he was told that a pilot was coming and to proceed towards the passage. Captain Lu Chih-Ming stated that he could not find a line on any map to show where the restricted zone began before he was directed via radio to turn around.
MV China Steel Developer travelled 4.88km into the restricted zone in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Captain Lu Chih-Ming was later arrested and taken to Newcastle police station, where he declined to be interviewed and could face a fine of $68,800 for sailing without a pilot into Hydrographer’s Passage.
Dry Bulk Shipping News - Shipbroker Notes