DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Coordination and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
CPA 085/09
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
IMPLEMENTATION OF SEA KING INQUIRY
RECOMMENDATIONS
All 256 recommendations from the Sea King Board of Inquiry report have been
implemented, laying the foundation for ongoing improvement of safety in Navy
aviation, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane announced today.
The Board of Inquiry report into the Sea King accident on Nias Island, Indonesia in
April 2005 was publicly released on 21 June 2007. The 256 recommendations are
far-reaching and include a major review of airworthiness, risk management and
safety, aviation maintenance regulations, training and cultural matters.
To ensure the highest level of oversight under a Defence implementation plan, the
Chiefs of Service Committee, made up of the most senior officers in Defence,
monitored progress of implementation of the Board’s recommendations across
Defence.
“For Navy, and the entire Australian Defence Force, completion of all the Board’s
recommendations is a significant milestone, but not the end of our enduring focus on
the future of aviation safety,” Vice Admiral Crane said.
“We remain totally committed to ensure the families of those who died and the
survivors of the accident are fully supported. Navy has appointed an Advocate who is
dedicated to the provision of this support and resolving claims for compensation.
“Implementing all of the Sea King Board’s recommendations is the first major step to
embedding a ‘can do safely’ attitude into our activities. I am committed to ensuring
continued improvement in safety for all our people across the range of tasks they
consistently conduct in the defence of this nation,” Vice Admiral Crane said.
Media contacts:
Defence Media Liaison
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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