A Chinese ship ran aground along Australia's pristine Great Barrier Reef overthe weekend, leaking oil.Winds were blowing at 20-30 mph at the time of the grounding, but conditionswere dry.
A ribbon of oil snakes away on thesurface of the water from the Chinese-registered 230m-long bulk coal carrierShen Neng 1, off the coast of Rockhampton, Australia, Monday, April 5,2010.Officials said the cloudy water, around the ship, is from water, sand andbroken coral disturbed by the ship after it ran aground. (AP Photo/RobGriffith)
The ship is stuck east of Great Keppel Island. Besides a significant amount ofoil, the ship also had a load of coal on board.Unfortunately both winds and ocean currents will bring what oil leaks towardsthe Australian coast. The coastal towns of Gladstone and Emu Park may beaffected.
Easterly winds of 20-30 mph will continue to hamper rescue efforts throughTuesday. Lighter winds are expected by midweek. No rainfall is expected nearthe ship for the next few days.
The Australian ocean current flows across the area. This current branchestowards the Queensland coast directly east of the ship's location.
Chinese officials say the salvage operation of the ship could take severalweeks.
Story by Accuweather.com Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel.
