Duty
watch personnel from HMAS Melville’s White Crew recently
rescued two crewman from a sinking vessel.
The tug Stannary was operating in Cairns Inlet near Melville,
alongside HMAS Cairns. Assisting a cargo vessel approach its berth
she got into difficulties and capsized.
Immediately, Melville’s OOD, LEUT Steve Padley, ordered the
launching of one of the ship’s RHIBs to render assistance.
The RHIB crew, LSHSO Ken Carey and ABBM Glenn Phillips assisted
the two crewmen from the water. A passing trawler secured a line
with a life-ring to the vessel.
Shaken, the two men were treated for minor cuts aboard Melville
by POET Sammy Brooker and later taken to hospital for examination
and further treatment.
The RHIB then proceeded back to the sinking vessel and attached
two floats to the hull. Before sunset Melville’s duty watch
attached cyalume sticks and a strobe to the floats as a warning
to shipping.
