DEFENCE MEDIA ALERT
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 6265 6946
MSPA 038/09
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
DOORSTOP ON SHARK ATTACK
AT GARDEN ISLAND NAVY BASE
What:
Interview opportunity on shark attack off Garden Island this morning.
When:
9.45am Wednesday 11 February 2009.
Where:
Outside Fleet Base East – next to ‘Harry’s Café De Wheels’, Cowper
Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo.
Who:
Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, RAN.
Background:
At 6.55am this morning, a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver from the
Australian Clearance Diving Team One was attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour.
The shark attack took place in waters surrounding the Garden Island Navy Base at
Woolloomooloo, Sydney. The diver has been taken to St. Vincent’s hospital and is
undergoing surgery. He is in a serious condition. His family has been informed.
Diving operations, which were part of Exercise Kondari, have been suspended due to
the incident. As such the planned media briefing for Exercise Kondari has been
cancelled by the exercise controllers, the Defence Science and Technology
Organisation.
Media contact:
Danielle Kuhn (Regional Manager Public Affairs – NSW)
0405 310 176
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
