By
LCDR Andrew Stackpool & Graham Davis
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The rescue team, L-R: AB Daniel Ludlow, AB Brett Howard,
LS Sam Perez, AB Michael Daniels, Mr Rob Abernethy, Mr Mike
Noel-Smith, AB Sam Whitworth and LS Chris Bluemoser.
Photo by ABPH Kaye Adams
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In a fine display of seamanship HMAS Manoora (CMDR Martin Brooker)
has successfully rescued eight Iraqi fishermen from a sinking
fishing vessel in the Persian Gulf.
Manoora
deployed from Fleet Base East for operations in The Gulf on May
12.
On Saturday June 7 the amphibious transport was transiting The
Gulf when she received a ‘Mayday’ distress message.
Almost simultaneously her lookouts sighted a large fishing vessel
listing heavily about five miles away.
Manoora immediately closed the stricken 474-tonne vessel and saw
she was taking water. She capsized and sank within two minutes.
Immediately the LPA launched her two RHIBs and rescued all eight
crewmembers. They had suffered only minor shock and injuries and
subsequently were transferred ashore.
CMDR Brooker is proud of his ship’s company’s efforts.
“The vessel sank very quickly and it was imperative we carried
out the rescue quickly to ensure the safety of the crew.
“The rescue was a success thanks to the professionalism and
swift actions of Manoora’s men and women,” he said.
Manoora is deployed to return to Australia equipment used by the
ADF during Operation Falconer.
In the meantime HMAS Newcastle (CAPT Gerry Christian) headed deep
into the Indian Ocean to rescue a Briton who suffered serious
injuries when he was thrown face first into the gunwale of the
7 metre plywood boat he and a friend were trying to row from Australia
to an island off Africa.
Rescued were 45-year-old Mike Noel-Smith and Rob Abernethy, 31.
The two Britons set off from Carnarvon earlier this year to row
to Reunion Island off Africa in a bid to raise money for charity.
The emergency, which spanned ten days, saw Newcastle proceed to
a position 1400 nautical miles WNW of Exmouth.
The pair was 43 days into the row and deep into the Indian Ocean
south-west of the Cocos Islands when their craft was hit by high
waves, damaging the boat’s rudder.
One particularly large wave hit the boat hurling Mike Noel-Smith
face first into the gunwale. He suffered severe concussion and
other injuries.
By Monday June 2 his condition had deteriorated and Rob Abernethy
sought medical advice using satphone. The response was he needed
medical help as soon as possible. He made the call.
The Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra determined that HMAS
Newcastle was the nearest ship with a doctor on board and she
was tasked to assist the rowers.
At the time she was south of Christmas Island en route to a port
visit at Bunbury.
CAPT Christian ordered a turn to starboard and at 22 knots the
warship headed west with 1125nm to steam.
Shortly before sunset on June 5 Newcastle launched her Seahawk
to search for the boat. The aviators found the craft and reported
her position by radio. Newcastle quickly closed and arrived after
dark.
In marginal conditions she launched her RHIBs with medical personnel
on board and they went across to the stricken boat. The Britons
were transferred to Newcastle’s medical facility where the
doctor checked Mike and reported him in a stable condition.
The transfer complete, Newcastle looked to the retrieval of their
craft. Some smart seamanship by the Bosuns Mates and it was brought
aboard and secured on deck.
