Image Gallery: November 2007
Navy assists in boat in distress
21 November 2007
The Royal Australian Navy's Landing Craft Heavy HMAS Tarakan and Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Ararat assisted a 10-metre wooden boat with 16 people on board, which had arrived at an Australian offshore resource installation off the northwest coast of Australia. The passengers included six adults (three males, three females), and 10 children.
The boat was overcrowded and unstable, with an unserviceable engine. It had limited provisions onboard and was taking on water as a result of a slow leak, which was being managed with a portable pump. No lifejackets were observed on the vessel.
HMAS Ararat’s efforts to render assistance were complicated by the over-crowding and instability of the vessel. On attempting to commence the transfer of passengers using a rigid inflatable boat, two members of HMAS Ararat’s crew and six of the boat’s passengers fell into the water. As the boat started to sink more quickly, the remaining passengers also entered the water. All were recovered safely and a subsequent assessment revealed that no injuries were sustained.
Navy crew have since been focussed on ensuring the health and wellbeing of those rescued.
| 20071121ran0000_001 The 10-metre wooden boat alongside the Jabiru Venture. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121ran0000_002 The 10-metre wooden boat alongside the Jabiru Venture. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121ran0000_003 The 10-metre wooden boat alongside the Jabiru Venture. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121ran0000_004 The 10-metre wooden boat alongside the Jabiru Venture with a Royal Australian Navy Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121ran0000_005 The 10-metre wooden boat alongside the Jabiru Venture with Royal Australian Navy Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB). (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121ran0000_006 Royal Australian Navy personnel in a Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) with rescued passengers off the northwest coast of Australia. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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