Australia Sunday said a Chinese ship that crashed and leaked oil at the Great Barrier Reef took an illegal route, vowing to "throw the book" at those to blame for the near environmental catastrophe.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the Shen Neng 1, which remains stuck after grounding last Saturday, broke the law after veering 15 nautical miles (30 kilometres) from the shipping lane.
"It is quite clear this vessel went on a course that was unlawful," Mr Albanese told reporters in Brisbane, after an aerial tour of the ship.
"We'll be throwing the book at those responsible."
He said Australia would also seek compensation for the smash, which leaked two tonnes of oil and threatened a major disaster at one of the world's foremost and most delicate ecological sites.
Workers are pumping nearly 1,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from the ship, which was carrying 68,000 tonnes of Australian coal to China, after using chemical dispersants to clear up the initial three-kilometre (two-mile) slick.
"The Australian government will ensure that the full force of the law is brought to bear on those responsible," Albanese said.
"And we will also ensure… compensation is paid with regard to the cost of cleaning up."
Australian police also said three men would face charges over another bulk carrier, which strayed through the world heritage-listed marine park last week, as officials pledged to crack down on ships taking short cuts through the reef.
One South Korean man and two from Vietnam are facing charges after the Panama-flagged MV Mimosa used an unidentified shipping route without asking permission. The maximum penalty is a fine of 220,000 dollars (205,000 US).
"The Great Barrier Reef is an extraordinary natural wonder as well as an important economic driver for Queensland and the nation," said Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett.
"That is why we take very seriously any action which puts at risk the health or the unique values that see it afforded protection on the World Heritage List."
Albanese said work to salvage fuel from the Shen Neng 1 was progressing well and authorities would make the decision whether to refloat the stricken vessel, 230 metres (750 feet) long, as early as Monday.
The ship's owners have apologised for the accident and pledged to help minimise any environmental damage.
Penalties for accidents such as the Shen Neng 1's can extend to fines of 5.5 million dollars and jail terms of up to three years.
Conservationists say the accident highlights the risks to Australia's natural environment posed by booming exports to Asia which helped the country skirt the global financial crisis.
In March last year, a cyclone-hit cargo ship leaked 270,000 litres (70,000 gallons) of oil off northeast Australia, and in August an oil well caught fire off the country's north, dumping 28,000 barrels of oil into the Timor Sea.
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