SENATOR JOHN FAULKNER
Minister for Defence
Friday, 07 August 2009
016/2009
GOVERNMENT SENDS NAVY DIVE TEAM TO TONGA
Defence Minister John Faulkner today announced that the Australian
Government is providing the Tongan Government with a Royal Australian
Navy clearance dive team, air transport and associated medical support to
help recover the bodies from the island’s worst ferry disaster in thirty years.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, received an official request for
support from the Tongan Government to help recover bodies from the ferry
‘Princesss Ashika’ which sank on Wednesday evening.
“The Tongan Government has asked for assistance and later today the
Australian Defence Force will deploy a specialist Royal Australian Navy and
Royal Australian Air Force team to assist the Tongans recover the bodies of
missing passengers,” Senator Faulkner said.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force P3K Orion has confirmed the location of the
ferry’s hull in relatively shallow water.
“As the depth of water appears to be relatively shallow where the ferry is
located, it should be possible for the Royal Australian Navy Clearance Dive
team to operate. A RAAF team of medical and air transport specialists will
provide support to this task,” Senator Faulkner said.
“The recovery of the bodies is an unpleasant but necessary job, but it will
allow families the opportunity to farewell their loved ones”.
The Navy and Air Force team will depart this afternoon and likely commence
recovery operations over the next few days.
Media contacts:
Colin Campbell (John Faulkner):
02 6277 7800 or 0407 787 181
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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