Two senior crew members on the Chinese coal carrier that ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef over Easter have been arrested.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said it would be alleged in Queensland's Gladstone Court on Thursday that the Chinese men were the master and chief officer-on-watch of the Sheng Neng 1.
The arrests are the result of a criminal investigation that began after the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority referred the matter to the AFP two days after the incident.
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Investigations showed that the Shen Neng 1 failed to turn at the waypoint - where a ship is meant to change course - it was meant to.
The AFP said its officers, assisted by marine park and Australian Maritime Safety Authority officials, executed a search warrant on the vessel on Wednesday.
The ship's master, a 47-year-old man, has been charged with liability for a vessel which caused damage in the marine park, an offence carrying a maximum $55,000 fine.
A 44-year-old man has been charged with being the person in charge of a vessel which caused damage within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
That offence carries a maximum penalty of three years jail and a $220,000 fine.
