Tug boat to tackle groundings on Great Barrier Reef

The Federal Government will station a tug boat in north Queensland to respond to accidents on the Great Barrier Reef.

Transport Minister Warren Truss says the emergency service will be put up for tender shortly.

He says there are no tug boat services on the northern reef at present.

"The most suitable vessels to undertake this kind of work would have to come from southern Australia, now that's an unsatisfactory situation, so much damage could be done to the reef or other pristine parts of our environment while we're waiting for such a vessel to arrive," he said.

Source: www.abc.net.au