Kiwis say thank you

ACO Daniela Manu and AHSO Keran Durrant of HMNZS Endeavour read the last edition Navy News in which they featured on the front page.

Photo: ABPH Nina Nikolin

By Graham Davis

Commander David Hedgley, the commanding officer of the New Zealand fleet oiler HMNZS Endeavour stood on the deck of his ship at Fleet Base East and in his loudest voice shouted “thank you from the bottom of our hearts”.

His heartfelt remarks were aimed at 60 Royal Australian Navy sailors and civilian dock workers standing on the wharf.

It was these people who on August 16 had rushed to the aid of 22 of his ship’s company who had gone into Sydney Harbour when one of the oiler’s 50-person lifeboats plummeted 10 metres from the side of the ship.

Fifteen of the 22 were hurt.

Four, because of their injuries were to be flown home to New Zealand, instead of deploying.

The “thanks” from CMDR Hedgley came as the 10,000-tonne ship departed Sydney on August 25, to take part in the five nation mine-countermeasure Exercise Bersama Lima off Singapore.

Numerous RAN ships will attend. Before his “shout of thanks” members of his ship’s company had performed the whakangahau, or traditional Maori ceremonial farewell from midships.

Those who were not going with her, and had been brought by RAN ambulance from the Balmoral Naval Hospital, not only farewelled their mates but also caught up with some of those who had helped them.

ACH Eruera Shelford was able to formally shake the hand of PO Marty Rigg, who dived into the harbour from HMAS Manoora’s RHIB to support him until he was lifted into a boat.

SBLT David Berry was able to hug POMED Kirsty McDonald (from the Kuttabul Medical Centre).

She found him shivering from the 12-degree water beside the dock, covered him with a blanket and assessed his injuries (spinal) before bringing in an ambulance to take him to St Vincents Hospital.

LMEL Jesse Whatupiwai Thompson was there to “thank the Aussies” and farewell his shipmates.

He remembers little of the incident.

“I was knocked out,” he told Navy News.

Another to say thanks, and not depart with Endeavour, was ABCHEF Rangi James.

“I’m in a brace, I’m not in pain but am a bit uncomfortable,” she said.

All four sailors are expected to make a full recovery.

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