ASHMORE REEF
RECOVERY SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
At
around 8:15 am (AEDT) Thursday 16 April 2009 there was an explosion on board a
foreign vessel that was intercepted the previous day in the vicinity of Ashmore
Reef.
The
events surrounding the incident occurred in the following order:
- An explosion occurred on
board the intercepted vessel at 8:15 am (AEDT).
- 9 ADF personnel were on
board the intercepted vessel at the time of the explosion.
- HMAS Childers and HMAS
Albany recovered all survivors from the water within about 15 minutes. The
search continued.
- Multiple casualties
resulted from the explosion with three people deceased and two people
reported missing.
- All ADF personnel were
accounted for.
- Medical assistance was
rendered by ADF personnel via triage to casualties.
- 5 ADF personnel presented
with minor injuries and were administered first aid.
- Headquarters Northern
Command (HQNORCOM) arranged Casualty Evacuation supported by the Northern
Territory and West Australian State and Commonwealth agencies.
- Air Force AP-3C Orions
and Customs and Border Protection DASH 8 aircraft conducted a Search and
Rescue operation for the two missing persons under the control of AMSA
(Rescue Coordination Centre).
- The Patrol Boats
proceeded to FPSO Front Puffin for casualty evacuation.
- AP-3C Orions conducted a
box-drop of additional medical supplies to the Patrol Boats.
- A Medical Triage facility
was established at Truscott and on the Front Puffin.
- HMAS Childers and HMAS
Albany transferred the high priority casualties to Front Puffin for triage
and evacuation.
- HMAS Childers remained
alongside Front Puffin until all casualties had been evacuated. HMAS
Albany departed after disembarking her high priority casualties for high
speed transit to Darwin.
- The high priority
casualties were transferred from Front Puffin to Truscott by CSC
helicopter.
- At Truscott the
casualties were again triaged and flown to specialist facilities in
Darwin, Broome, Perth or Brisbane hospitals for medical assistance.
- Upon arrival in Darwin
HMAS Albany was met by paramedical staff and other government agency staff
to assist the casualty reception on 17 April 2009 at 1.30 pm (AEDT).
- HMAS Childers arrived in
Darwin on 17 April 2009 at 4.30 pm (AEDT).
The
chronology of events described above embodies acts of bravery, courage and
professionalism by all personnel involved. It also embodies outstanding
cooperation between the ADF, State and Commonwealth Agencies. It was a team
effort.
Media note: 24 photographs have been cleared by the NT Police
and the Coroner, and are available for download at www.defence.gov.au/media/download.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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