CN says no to prohibition

VADM Ritchie at the press conference on the Navy Board of Inquiry’s findings regarding LS Cameron Gurr at Maritime Headquarters.

Recommendations

Strengthen arrangements for searches for contraband items such as alcohol with the goal of eliminating illegal alcohol consumption. Begin a fundamental review of the Navy’s existing alcohol management strategy and extensive support program. Begin preparing investigations into the actions of some of Darwin’s ship’s company to see if administrative or disciplinary action is necessary. Begin a program called Serving in Australia’s Navy, which is designed with an overarching behavioural focus on our Navy values. It is aimed at drawing together a range of existing values-based initiatives that apply to all Navy’s people, from junior seaman to admiral. The objective is to improve behaviour, attitudes and leadership by providing better ways for ensuring that Navy’s people understand clearly what Serving in Australia’s Navy demands of them. Improve search and rescue equipment, including the provision of new search and rescue datum buoys for all ships and will enhance search and rescue training. CN has instructed the Maritime Commander to investigate fitting ships with alarms on external hatches and doors. The idea is to provide a warning should a door or hatch be opened during periods when access to the upper deck has not been authorised. Navy will also undertake a wide-ranging review of safety procedures and equipment in all ships. Providing individuals with personal locator beacons will be examined, particularly for those members conducting more hazardous activities such as boarding operations.

Tougher action on illicit alcohol, new shipside safety rails, personal EPIRBs for some sailors and fitting of alarms to external hatches and doors, are just some of the recommendations to come from the Board of Inquiry panel which probed the disappearance of Acting Leading Seaman Cameron Gurr from HMAS Darwin near Christmas Island in May.

However, Chief of Navy, VADM Chris Ritchie stopped short of introducing total prohibition of alcohol on ships, saying such a measure would be “draconion”.

The four-person panel made findings and a total of 71 recommendations.

A detailed list of the recommendations was released to the media at a full press conference at Maritime Headquarters on Tuesday, September 17.

CN and his deputy RADM Rowan Moffitt presented papers outlining the facts and immediate actions taken by Navy to prevent an incident of this type happening again.

Also present were the Maritime Commander RADM Raydon Gates and the Navy Systems Commander, CDRE Russ Crane.

VADM Ritchie told the media: “The Navy takes this Board of Inquiry and its findings very seriously and this is the leadership group that will act on its recommendations.

“On behalf of everyone in the RAN, I offer my condolences to Mrs Gurr on the tragic loss of her son, Leading Seaman Cameron Gurr.

“As the Board found, LS Gurr’s career reflected a continual drive for promotion, professional development and acceptance of responsibility.

“He was a loyal and dedicated sailor. He had a positive work ethic and was a strong team player.

“The Board of Inquiry comprised three serving naval members and the former Queensland Police Commissioner, James O’Sullivan.

“The inquiry was open to the public.”

VADM Ritchie said: “It is likely that LS Gurr disappeared overboard on May 4, 2002 most probably between 12.30am and 1am while HMAS Darwin was in the area of operation for Operation Relex 11 to the north of Christmas Island.

The Board found it is most probable that LS Gurr died in the vicinity of Christmas Island some time on May 4 or in the days shortly afterwards.

Alcohol was most likely a factor in LS Gurr’s loss. Suicide was probably not.

“Alcohol and safety rules on board HMAS Darwin were well known and understood by all, but unfortunately not necessarily complied with by some,” said VADM Ritchie.

“HMAS Darwin’s search and rescue plan and procedures were appropriate and adequate.”

VADM Ritchie continued that he was satisfied the Board had adequately addressed its terms of reference and that the evidence before it justified the findings.

“Importantly Navy is committed to preventing a tragedy of this type from happening again.
“Navy already has a significant program for the management of alcohol and drug abuse.
“Clearly we need to build on that program to improve our ability to control the improper use of alcohol. We will do that.
“We have already expanded the powers of commanding officers to search for items such as illicit alcohol.
“We will look at our behaviour training programs and our leadership and management training.
“We will place tighter controls on the illegal use of alcohol.
“Chief of the Defence Force, GEN Peter Cosgrove has also proposed a post critical incident and random drug and alcohol testing program for all ADF members.
“Minister Vale has asked that GEN Cosgrove further develop this proposal as a high priority and bring forward policy advice for the Government’s consideration.
“We are also investigating the actions of those who may have seen fit to flaunt the existing regulations.
“The full BOI report will be released to the public after any disciplinary action has been completed.”

A Defence media release issued at the same conference said investigations by Service Police under the Defence Force Discipline Act had been initiated against nine people.

“Because this may take some time I have decided to give you the executive summary at this briefing today,” VADM Ritchie said.

“Before I hand over to the Deputy Chief of Navy to cover some details I want to say the loss of LS Cameron Gurr was a tragedy.
“Rules were broken, but the price paid by LS Gurr, his family and the Navy was far too high.
“I will do everything I can to prevent something like this from happening again,” VADM Ritchie concluded.

RADM Moffitt continued the briefing by telling the media Darwin had been on border patrols for 29 days and had made several visits to Christmas Island for fuel and rest.

“On May 2 Cameron Gurr was promoted in rank to acting leading seaman.
“In celebration of that promotion, he illegally consumed alcohol with a number of other junior sailors in a radar equipment compartment on the evening of May 3.
“At eight o’clock on the morning of May 4, LS Gurr failed to attend a daily work section muster.
“After thorough searches of the ship it was determined that he was not on board.
“A search of the sea for LS Gurr began immediately.
“The search was conducted over seven days and eventually covered nearly 4000 square miles of ocean as well as the shore of Christmas Island.
“The search was conducted with Air Force, Australian Federal Police, Coastwatch and Customs support.
“Unfortunately, LS Gurr was not located.”

RADM Moffitt said: “The Board formed the view that it was not possible to be certain from which part of the ship LS Gurr may have disappeared.

“They considered the most likely place was the boat deck on the port side, which is adjacent to the radar equipment room where the illegal drinking took place.
“Access to this area of the ship is strictly controlled because of the hazards from high-powered radar and communications aerials.
“Access to the outer edge of this deck is normally blocked physically by the presence of the ship’s inflatable boat and guard rails have not normally been required.
“Never-the-less, Navy has directed that quick release guard rails be fitted to Darwin and the other five ships of the class in this area.” (Later VADM Ritchie told Navy News rails had been fitted to the ships).
“The Board made 71 recommendations covering five general areas.
“Seventeen recommendations relate to continuing disciplinary action and cannot be discussed so as not to prejudice proceedings.”

He said 19 recommendations concern safety management, 11 relate to alcohol and its management, four concern leadership and training and 20 cover legal policy and process.

“Some recommendations have already been implemented, some are being implemented and others are still under consideration.

RADM Moffitt said the Board of Inquiry process had proven itself to be the best means for Navy to establish the facts of the circumstances surrounding a particular incident.

“More importantly, a Board of Inquiry gives Navy the opportunity to take positive action where specific shortfalls have been identified by the Board,” RADM Moffitt said.

During the questions and answers session, VADM Ritchie was asked if the RAN should follow the lead of the United States Navy and have ‘dry ships’.

He responded in the negative describing such action as “draconian” and said the issue of two cans of full strength beer per day would continue at the CO’s discretion.

Asked by Navy News if a sailor on Christmas Island now was to approach his ship, would he find a Naval police coxswain at the foot of the gangway waiting to check his bag?

“I would hope so,” was VADM Ritchie’s reply.

The taking on board and the consumption of illicit alcohol was what was needed to be stopped, he said.

The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Danna Vale, endorsed the immediate actions taken by the Royal Australian Navy.

Minister Vale said the immediate actions taken by Chief of Navy, VADM Chris Ritchie following receipt of the Board of Inquiry recommendations, underlined Navy’s strong commitment to the well-being and safety of its personnel.

“Once again, I offer my condolences on behalf of the Australian Government to LS Gurr’s family and shipmates to whom a full range of support and assistance is available,” Minister Vale said.

• By Graham Davis

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