Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA002
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
HMAS VOYAGER REMEMBERED
Australia’s greatest peacetime naval disaster, HMAS Voyager, will be remembered today, 46
years on.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin said 82 lives were lost when the Voyager and HMAS
Melbourne collided off the south-east coast of Australia in 1964.
“On the evening of 10 February 1964, Melbourne, an aircraft carrier, and Voyager, a
Daring Class Destroyer, were taking part in training exercises off the coast of Jervis Bay, south
east of Sydney when disaster struck,” Mr Griffin said.
“At 8.56 pm, while manoeuvring under minimal operational lighting, the Voyager tragically
crossed the bows of the Melbourne, colliding in the darkness. The Voyager was sliced in two by
the impact and the bow section sank within minutes.”
Fourteen officers, 67 sailors and one civilian dockyard employee lost their lives. There were 232
survivors.
Following the last election, the Australian Government sought to progress outstanding
compensation claims remaining from this accident, with all now resolved.
“The Voyager disaster is a stark reminder that tragedy can strike not only in war but in
peacetime service, undertaking humanitarian assistance or in training and we honour and
remember those lost,” Mr Griffin said.
Media inquiries: Sasha Nimmo 0437 863 109
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a
week on 1800 011 046.
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
NEWS 
