The Ji Chong Lee ... boarded and escorted by HMAS IPSWICH. Pic: LSPH Kevin Bristow

The RAN has been at the forefront of yet another frontline national security operation which ended this time strategically close to the heads of Sydney harbour at Broken Bay.

The patrol boat HMAS FREMANTLE had been shadowing a suspected illegal immigrants vessel, the Ji Chong Lee - for 5 to 6 days before HMAS IPSWICH took over the job of surveillance and eventual capture of 112 illegal immigrants from Southern China.

IPSWICH's LCDR Peter Martin commended FREMANTLE for having "done all the work" prior to the former's involvement.

Navy had been working in conjunction with other agencies Coastwatch, Customs, RAAF and DIMA in detecting and watching the S.I.I.V and during the afternoon of the vessels capture, LCDR Martin noted the Ji Chong Lee making its best speed of six knots towards Broken Bay which matched with advance intelligence about the prospective destination.

As the vessel reached the critical territorial waters demarcation line of 12 nautical miles, IPSWICH waited til the Ji Chong Lee was well within territorial waters at eight nautical miles, before coming up beside her in the stealth of night with the lights switched off.

At the point of interdiction the Ji Chong Lee was stationary, apparently awaiting her transfer party when IPSWICH suddenly beamed her searchlight upon them and ordered over the megaphone and the VHF "Stop, heave to, I wish to board you".

LCDR Martin said initially the captain of the vessel attempted some evasive manoeuvres before finally being taken under control by an IPSWICH boarding party.

The vessel was escorted to Sydney's Garden Island before the illegal immigrants were taken to the Navy's Indoor Sports centre where they were looked after and fed before being transferred to Port Hedland. LCDR Martin said with pride his ship's company of 24 had acquitted themselves professionally and they had acted in a manner which proved their training and experience for the task at hand.''

By Annie Casey