The Chinese coal carrier that ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef earlier this month will be towed into port for repairs today.
The Shen Neng I hit Douglas Shoal, off the central Queensland coast, on Easter Saturday.
It subsequently spilt nearly four tonnes of oil into the sea.
The vessel tore a 3km long gash into the shoal, causing damage that one leading marine scientist said could take up to 20 years to heal.
Its refloating left a scar 3km long and up to 250 metres wide.
"There is more damage to this reef than I have ever seen in any previous Great Barrier Reef groundings," Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chief scientist David Wachenfeld said.
The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage site because of its gleaming waters and environmental value as home to thousands of marine species. The accident occurred in the southern tip of the reef, which is not the main tourism hub.
3 News / AP