Navy Rescues Indonesian Fisherman

Navy Rescues Indonesian Fisherman

Two Royal Australian Navy ships rescued an Indonesian fisherman during a transit of the Indonesian archipelago on Tuesday 28 September.

The 42-year old fisherman was plucked from the water mid-afternoon on Tuesday by HMAS Success, travelling in company with HMAS Arunta.

The rescued fisherman had been lost at sea for three days and is now receiving medical assistance on board Success. He is in a stable condition.

A comprehensive surface and air search by Success and Arunta failed to locate the other three members of the fisherman’s crew. Based on information provided by the rescued fisherman and on advice from Indonesia’s Rescue Coordination Centre, the search was called off at last light on Tuesday.

Arrangements are being made for the transfer of the rescued fisherman to Indonesian authorities.

HMA Ships Success and Arunta are part of a larger Royal Australian Navy Task Group conducting a transit of the Indonesian archipelago as part of a South East Asian deployment.

HMA Ships Success and Arunta sailed from Makassar, Indonesia on Monday 27 September and conducted a short Passage Exercise with the Indonesian Ship, KRI Fatahillah.

HMA Ships Toowoomba and Tobruk sailed from Surabaya, Indonesia on 28 September 2010 and conducted a similar short Passage Exercise with the Indonesian Ship, KRI Hasanudin.

The four Australian warships made a rendezvous on the evening of 28 September 2010 and will transit to Singapore and Port Kelang for additional port visits.

The Australian warships will return to Australia from deployment in mid-November.

ENDS

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