The arrests follow a joint AFP investigation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

“It will be alleged in court that the men were the master and chief officer-on-watch of the vessel that caused damage to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,” AFP said.

“The men will appear in Gladstone Court tomorrow.”

Both Chinese, the alleged master is 47 years old and could face a $55,000 fine while the other, 44-year-old man could face three years imprisonment and/or a $220,000 fine.

AFP’s investigation revealed that on crossing into protected waters, the China-bound 230m vessel failed to turn at a necessary waypoint.

Meanwhile, clean-up crews have been working on small amounts of oil on North West Island and Tyron Island over the past couple of days.

Yesterday, Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Patrick Quirk said the globules of oil that had washed up on North West Island were about the size of a 50c piece, spaced about 5m apart and covering a small area.

“The ship is now at anchor in a safe location off Great Keppel Island where initial inspections have begun,” he said.

“Inspections by divers yesterday showed substantial damage to the bottom hull surrounding the engine room at the back of the ship.”

Quirk added there were still some delicate steps ahead.

“We need to remember this incident is not over yet.”

The ship was loaded with 68,000 tonnes of coal when it ran aground on the Douglas Shoal in the Great Barrier Reef on April 3.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has previously stated that cargo ships entering the restricted waters of the Great Barrier Reef will face the full force of the law.

Some reports suggest the ship’s watchkeeper might have been asleep when the vessel ran aground.

Ship owner Shenzhen Energy Transport finally apologised for the accident on Friday.

First estimates had the ship leaking about 2t of heavy oil. Salvage crews have pumped out most of the remaining oil into the 50m Larcom bunker barge, which can hold up to 1500t.