Media Room: Media Releases

NAVY IDENTIFIES CONTAINERS OFF CAPE MORETON

The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Huon Class Mine Hunters, HMA Ships Yarra and Norman, have confirmed the location of 24 of the 31 containers lost from the MV Pacific Adventurer during Cyclone Hamish.

The containers were positively identified by the ships’ Mine Disposal Vehicle on the seabed not far from where the containers were reported lost.

Yarra and Norman were tasked with locating and marking the positions of the containers and capturing video footage to determine their condition.

Commander Dean Schopen, Commander of the Australian Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Task Group said conditions for this task have been very difficult.

“The ships have been considerably hampered by the weather and sea conditions within the search area.

“Despite the conditions, a small window of opportunity allowed Yarra to deploy the Mine Disposal Vehicle into the water yesterday and successfully identify 22 containers at a depth of 120m. The containers are lying on the seabed close together, secured in groups of two and three, and are in varying states of condition.

“This morning, Norman also confirmed the location of a further two containers, both of which have been badly damaged,” Commander Schopen said.

The ships have been searching since March 18 using a Variable Depth Sonar in the vicinity of the datum point provided by the Master of the Pacific Adventurer. The sonar is able to detect objects at depths of over 100 metres and out to ranges greater than 500 metres from the ship.

The Mine Disposal Vehicle, officially known as an electrically powered Bofors Underwater Systems Double Eagle Mine Disposal Vehicle, is equipped with a searchlight, closed-circuit low light television camera and an on-board close range identification sonar.

The ships have marked the confirmed positions with a highly accurate navigation system and will provide the information to Maritime Safety Queensland, the agency coordinating salvage effort.

Yarra and Norman are continuing to search for the remaining missing containers.

Commander Schopen added that this activity has highlighted the versatility of the Huon Class Mine Hunter.

“The identification of 24 containers in very demanding conditions demonstrates that the RAN’s Huon Class Mine Hunters are valuable in all kinds of situations other than conventional mine warfare.

“The RAN is very capable and willing to provide assistance to the Australian community in response to a wide range of emergencies, providing flexible and adaptable options to agencies such as Emergency Management Australia.”

Norman is the third of six Huon Class Mine Hunters, commissioned on 26 August 2000, and Yarra is the sixth, commissioned on 01 March 2003, both built by Australian Defence Industries in Newcastle, Australia.

Media note:

Still imagery of the containers is available at www.defence.gov.au/media Vision is not yet available. Defence media will make appropriate arrangements to distribute the vision when it is available.

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664