A ship carrying coal in Australia that strayed from its shipping lane was leaking oil on the Great Barrier Reef and was in danger of breaking apart, the Associated Press reported.
The Chinese Shen Neng 1 ran aground on Douglas Shoals, a part of the reef that is protected and where shipping is restricted.
Authorities are scared an oil spill will damage the world's largest coral reef, and a police boat was standing by in case the ship broke apart to evacuate the crew.
Some oil was seen near the ship, which hit the reef at full speed, early Sunday but there was no major oil loss reported, the BBC said.
A salvage contract had been signed, but authorities worry the operation could spill more oil. Other options are being considered, and state authorities were assessing the effect the coal could have on the reef environment if the ship broke before the cargo could be removed.
