A bulk coal carrier that ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef has been refloated and is being towed to a safe anchorage.
The 230-metre Chinese vessel Shen Neng 1 ran aground on Douglas Shoal off Rockhampton on 3 April, spilling at least two tonnes of oil.
Maritime Safety Queensland said the vessel was refloated with no further loss of fuel on Monday evening and was being towed to Great Keppel Island, authorities say.
Most of the 970 tonnes of heavy fuel oil aboard the ship had been pumped out ahead of the refloating attempt.
Once the ship was at safe anchorage, salvage divers would assess the damage to a coal carrier's hull.
Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has announced new laws to boost penalties for ships causing oil spills.
Ms Bligh said on Monday she would introduce to state parliament this week new laws imposing penalties of up to $A10 million for ships spilling oil.
She said the maximum penalty for corporations would increase by five times, from $A1.75 million, while individuals would face up to a $A500,000 fine - up from $A350,000.
