By
Michael Weaver
Chief
Petty Officer Dale Zanker says his Conspicuous Service Cross awarded
in this year’s Australia Day Awards came from being “in
the right place at the wrong time”.
But if not for his actions, he could well have been in the wrong
place at the wrong time after Indonesian fishing vessel, the Sumber
Lestari (SIEV 10), started sinking in waters near Ashmore Reef
off north-western Australia on November 8, 2001.
CPO Zanker was, and still is, the chief engineer in HMAS Wollongong
(LCDR Stephen Thompson), which was on patrol as part of Operation
Relex.
What he encountered was a large-scale emergency when Wollongong’s
boarding party observed smoke coming from SIEV 10’s forward
hold, followed shortly after by a possible fuel drum explosion.
The 164 passengers (most wearing life jackets) had become agitated
and were observed throwing fuel, water and planking into the water.
Many also began to jump into the water.
The boarding party attempted unsuccessfully to extinguish the
fire and then abandoned the sinking SIEV.
A rescue operation was then mounted with all 164 passengers subsequently
recovered to HMAS Wollongong and an Australian Customs Vessel
Arnhem Bay.
Two female passengers were recovered unconscious and attempts
to revive them were unsuccessful.
CPO Zanker’s part in the operation came in the performance
of medical assistance during the rescue.
His citation, in part, reads: “During the operation, CPO
Zanker took charge of medical and security tasks in the absence
of other senior sailors. CPO Zanker’s calm, clear guidance
and employment of his medical training was a significant factor
in the successful rescue and treatment of 162 people”.
CPO Zanker, however, had a more sobering recollection of the incident.
“On a scale of one to ten, you’d have to make it a nine,”
he said.
“When you’re standing on a boat and the whole thing
has caught on fire and is a raging inferno, your options are very
limited. You either stay there and burn or you jump, so about
160 people had to jump.
“Basically, we didn’t have any resources other than
the inflatable boats plus the customs vessel that was with us.”
CPO Zanker said many passengers were treated for shock, with some
of the smaller children suffering hypothermia even though the
water temperature was about 25 degrees.
CPO Zanker said being honoured with an award for his actions is
“very humbling and it makes you very proud”, however
he says it is also recognition for the crew of HMAS Wollongong
as well.
“I was just part of a 26-man crew where all 26 guys had some
involvement to some degree or another. I’d just like to thank
the whole crew that was involved.”
