As authorities rush to prevent further oil leaks from the stricken coal carrier Shen Neng 1, the extent of the damage is becoming clearer.
The 230-metre Shen Neng 1, en route from Gladstone to China was sailing at full speed in a restricted zone of the marine park on Saturday when it hit Douglas Shoal, offshore from Rockhampton.
Salvors plan to place a boom around the vessel on Tuesday to prevent the further spread of heavy fuel oil.
One of the fuel tanks is ruptured, the general manager of Maritime Safety Queensland, Captain Patrick Quirk, told ABC radio on Tuesday.
"The double-bottom tanks which hold the water ballast normally have been breached - they provide the buoyancy for the ship - and we also suspect that one of the fuel tanks has also been breached,' he said.
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"We also believe that some of the tanks below the engine room have been breached.
"We believe the rudder has been seriously damaged." Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are expected to begin their probe of the incident, interviewing crew members aboard the ship.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will overfly the damaged ship on Tuesday.
The leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Bob Brown, flew over the site on Monday and will address media later in the day.
