HMAS MAITLAND

TOXIC HAZARD INCIDENT

Four crew members of the Royal Australian Navy Armidale Class Patrol Boat Maitland were admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 30 August 2006, following inhalation of what is believed to have been toxic fumes.

The four sailors were given medical treatment onboard Maitland prior to being transferred to the hospital. Two of the members were transferred to the Army’s Robertson Barracks medical facility for further treatment and observation; one remains in Royal Darwin Hospital. The other sailor has been discharged from hospital.

The crew conducted well-practiced procedures for the evacuation and treatment of personnel and containment of the fumes.

“The crew of Maitland are very well rehearsed in dealing with these incidents and responded swiftly and assuredly to the situation,” said Lieutenant Commander Graham RAN, the Commanding Officer of Maitland.

An investigation into the cause of the incident has commenced.

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