Northern Trident Frigate Renders Assistance

4 June 2009

Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Sydney has rendered assistance to a 15 foot Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat carrying 24 males in the Mediterranean Sea.

Sydney sighted the men waving for assistance around 7.00pm local time yesterday, approximately 33 nautical miles southeast of Spain.

Adhering to Australia’s international obligations under the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, Sydney dispatched personnel to investigate.

Sydney personnel determined the boat was sea worthy and provided food, water and space blankets before contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Almeria, Spain.

The Chief of Navy, VADM Russ Crane, said the response from the passing Australian ship ensured life at sea was preserved.

“Upon sighting the vessel, Sydney’s Commanding Officer, CAPT Peter Leavy, responded immediately in accordance with his obligations to render assistance under the Laws of the Sea,” VADM Crane, said.

“Having deemed the vessel sound, Sydney remained in the location until a Spanish Coast Guard vessel arrived, before continuing on her Northern Trident 2009 (NT09) deployment,” he said.

Northern Trident 09 is a six-month international diplomatic deployment being undertaken by Sydney and HMAS Ballarat that aims to develop and enhance international relationships, global security and the defence industries of Australia.

Sydney is the third of six Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG-03) to be commissioned into service for the RAN. Sydney is a long-range escort Frigate with capabilities in air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance. These capabilities were recently enhanced with a series of upgrades allowing Sydney to counter simultaneous air, sea surface and under water threats.