Police arrest 2 from ship that crashed on reef

SYDNEY (AP) - A Chinese ship captain and a chief officer have been arrested and charged with causing damage to the Great Barrier Reef, more than a week after their coal carrier ran aground, leaking oil and tearing a two-mile (three-kilometer) gash in the protected area.

The Australian Federal Police said the master of the vessel and the chief officer on watch during the April 3 grounding would appear in court Thursday.

The 47-year-old master is charged with liability for damage, and faces a maximum fine of 55,000 Australian dollar ($51,200).

The 44-year-old chief officer is accused of being in charge of the vessel during the grounding, and faces up to three years in prison and a fine up to AU$220,000.