Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chief scientist David Wachenfeld told reporters a variety of marine plant and animal life would have been pulverised under the ship.

Paint scratched off from the vessel was found “everywhere” on the shoal that divers inspected and Wachenfeld was concerned the heavy metals in it would delay recolonisation of the coral.

The authority is estimating the affected shoal could take 20 years to recover.

Inspections started yesterday on the 230m Shen Neng 1 vessel, which has been removed from the reef and is anchored 5 miles northeast of Great Keppel Island.

The ship was loaded with 68,000 tonnes of coal and was on its way to China from Gladstone’s port when it ran aground 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.