1

2013/3821

IncidentTimeline
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
050858UTC SARCoordinationsettoDefence
050858UTC NORCOMadviseContactofInterest(COI)located37[SIC](30)nmnorthwestofChristmasIsland.HMASWarramungaenroute.NotSOLA
DefencehascoordinationforCOI.

050902UTC HQNORCOMissueSituationReport(SITREP1).Updateasat1855AEST,Wednesday,05June2013.Atapproximately1815AESTtoday,a
RAAFAP3CMaritimePatrolaircraft,operatingunderthecontrolofBorderProtectionCommand(BPC),detectedaCOIapproximately28
nmnorthwestofChristmasIsland.Thereweremultiplepeoplesightedonthedeck.ABPCassetisrespondingtotheareatomonitorthe
approachingCOI.
060018UTC AMSOCadviseRCCAustraliathattheCOI,reportedas28nmnorthwestofChristmasIslandlastnight,andpreviouslylocatedbyAP3Cat
1815UTC[SIC]on5June,hasnotbeenrelocatedbyHMASWarramunga.
060028UTC BPCprovideRCCAustraliawithaphotooftheCOIlocatedbytheAPC3at050743UTC,approximately28nmnorthwestofChristmas
Islandinposition1004South10521East.Thevesselwasdetecteddeadinthewateratthetimeofsighting,withapproximately55POB.
HMASWarramungahasbeenunabletorelocatethisvesselandreportsweatherconditionsintheareaattime052130UTCwithwindsat
140degreesat25knotsSeaState4.Marginalfornightboarding.AnAP3Cisscheduledtobeintheareaatapproximately0330UTCon
6June.
060716UTC FromHQNORCOMadviseRCCAustraliathattheCOIpreviouslyreportedinposition1004.00South10521.00Eastat050743UTCwas
notrelocatedbytheHMASWarramungalastnight.TheAP3Cwastaskedandhasconductedvisualandradarsearchestodayata25nm
radiusofChristmasIsland,30nmradiusoflastknownposition(LKP),southeastfromtheLKP100nm,assumingtrackspacingof40
(S=40).Vesselisreportedasbluehull,whitesuperstructure,TypeIIIIndonesianvessel,minimum55POB.HMASWarramungareported
possibletargetonatrackof117degreesat6knots.
2
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
060843UTC HQNORCOMadviseRCCAustraliaofconcernforavesselpreviouslylocatedapproximately25nmnorthwestofChristmasIsland.Vessel
waslocated1004South10521Eastat(05)0743UTC,deadinwater.HMASWarramungaattemptedtorelocateandsearcheddatum
andexpecteddriftpatternthenslowsweeptothesouthuntil2037UTC.AP3Cconductedvisualandradarsearchofdatumand30nm
arounddatum,visualclearanceofChristmasIsland,radarsearchouttoapproximately30nmaroundChristmasIslandthenoutofdatum
aradarsearch(20nmeithersideoftrack)onabearingof117degreesfor140nm.Vesselremainsunlocated.IntentionsHMAS
Warramungaisdevisingnewsearchbasedoninitialdatum,watermovementandenvironmentalconditionsAP3C(1)isplannedtobe
airbornefromDarwinat062130UTC,andontask070200UTCIntentionistoconductsurveillancebasedoninitialdatum,environmental
conditionsandalreadysearchedarea.
AP3C(2)willlaunchfromCocosIslandandprovidefollowonSARsurveillance(ifrequired),timingstobedetermined.RequestRCC
Australiatoprovideassistancewithsearchareaplanningandnetwatermovementmodelling.
060856UTC RCCAustraliaadviseHQNORCOMthatnetwatermovementmodellingisbeingprocessed.
060957UTC HQNORCOMrequestRCCAustraliatoconfirmthereceiptofarequestforsearchareasfortheunsightedvessel.RCCAustraliaadvise
thatanareaisbeingdeveloped.HQNORCOMstatethattheAdmiralslevelofapprehensionhasrisenthroughouttheincident.BPCwill
puttwoAP3CsandoneDash8ontaskthefollowingdayandthatHQNORCOMfeelthatitsapproachinganappropriatetimetohand
coordinationoftheincidenttoRCCAustralia.HQNORCOMadvisedtheywouldstillprovidethesameassets.RCCAustraliaadvisedthat
itwasunabletoacceptcoordinationatthistime,butwillinvestigatetheissuefurtherandconsiderindicationsofdistressandwillhavea
goodlookatallindicatorsandadviseHQNORCOM.HMASWarramungaisalsoundertakingasearchpatternnow.Planningtobeadvised
ASAP.
061035UTC RCCAustraliaadviseHQNORCOMthatplanningforasearchareaisprogressingandthatadriftmodelwillbeprovidedforconsideration
assoonaspossible.RCCAustraliarequesttimingsforcompletionofvisualandradarsearchedbyAP3C.Particularlyrequiretimeof
commencementofthetracklinesearch(bearing117degreesfor140nmwith20nmradarsearcheithersideoftrack);thetimeatwhich
thefurthestpoint(140nmfromdatum)alongbearing117wasreached;andthecompletiontimeofthesearch.ThiswillassistRCC
AustraliawithdeterminingthelikelihoodoftheaircraftbeingabletodetecttheCOIhaditbeenmakingwayat6knotsfortheduration
ofthesearch.Detailsofsearchintegrityconditionsintermsofradareffectivenesstoreacquirethetargetvessel,otheritemslocatedor
spotted,weatherconditionsduringsearchoperationsarerequested.
061125UTC HQNORCOMadvisethattheyareworkingonasearchpattern.TheAdmiralaskswhetherRCCAustraliacantaketheleadafterthatwork
isdone.RCCwilllookatsearcharea.RCCAustraliaadvisethatthesameassetswillbeusedinthesamesearcharea,regardlessofwho
hascoordination.Thisisdiscussedanddecisionmadethattheincidentisstillasurveillancetask.HMASWarramungaislookingatnew
datum.
3
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
061441UTC HQNORCOMupdateRCCAustraliawithinformationfromHMASWarramunga.
At050815[SIC]UTCthevesselwaslocatedbyaircraftinposition1004South10521Eastandwasreportedasdeadinthewater.At
051528UTCHMASWarramungaheldaradarcontactat1004South10518Eastwithcourse117at6kts.Thiswasnotthevesselthey
werelookingfor.MVShanghaiSpiritwascontacted(itwasdriftingwithin5nmofthepreviousdatumsupplied).MVShanghaiSpirit
reportedthattheyhadnoticednosmallvessels.HMASWarramungatocontinueanexpandingspiralsearchalongpredicteddriftfor
approximately11nmfromthelastknownposition.Seastatefour,wind140at25kts.
At061102UTCHMASWarramungastartedafurthersearchtothenorthwestbasedonLKPforvessel.Coordinatesforaboxedareaare
0932South0949Southand10445East10507East.Nothingsignificanttoreportatthistime.Wind109at16knots,swell340atone
metre,SeaStatetwo.
At060517UTCHMASWarramungasawwhatappearedtobealightinthevicinityof0957South10500East.HMASWarramungas
positionatthattimewas1018South10543East.HMASWarramungaproceededtothatlocationbut[it]wasnotthe[COI]vessel.
Nothingseenalongroute.
RequestconfirmationthatRCCAustraliareceivedtheAP3Ctrackdatasentpreviously.AP3CteaminDarwinhasbeenrequestedto
provideRCCAustraliawithanswersregardingtrackinformationaspreviouslysought.
[Posteventanalysisconfirmsthatthecontacton117degreesat6knotswasaspuriousradarcontact,andwasneithertheCOInorMV
ShanghaiSpirit.ThelightreportedasbeingsightedbyHMASWarramungawassightedat061249UTC.]
061511UTC RCCAustraliasendsmapstoHQNORCOMofrecommendedsearchareasfortheCOI.
1. Therecommendedsearcharearouteisderivedfromadriftmodelbaseduponascenariorouteforthetargetfromthelastknown
positionof1004.00South10521.00Eastat050743UTCtolastlighton07June2013basedonacourseof117degreestrueat6
knots.
2. Therecommendedsearchareapointisderivedfromadriftmodelbasedfromthelastknownposition(1004.00South10521.00
Eastat050743UTC)tolastlight07Juneforinitiallystationarytargets.
3. Therecommendedsearchareacombinedincorporatesbothrecommendedsearchareasrouteandpoint.
NOTE:Targetsforalldriftmodelsarebasedonpersoninwater(general);debrisfromafishingvessel;andsampan/TypeIII
foreignfishingvessel.
Driftmodelscoverthetimeframe050743UTCthroughuntil071200UTC.
061603UTC RCCAustraliaandHQNORCOMdiscuss radarinformationRCCAustraliaexplainhowthesearchareashavebeendetermined.Thevessel
reportedonacourse117degreesat6knotsnowidentifiedasMVShanghaiSpiritnotSIEV.Discussionregardingongoingsurveillance
plans.Ifdebrisissighted,thesurveillancewouldthenmovetoaSARphase.
4
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
061737UTC RCCAustraliasendsamessagetoHQNORCOMandrequestsHQNORCOMtopasstheflighttimesoftheAP3CtoRCCAustraliawhenthey
areavailable.RCCAustraliaattachesanothertwomapstothismessage.Onemapshowsthecombinedsearchareaandtheotherthe
searchareafortheAP3C.RCCAustraliaasksHQNORCOMtonotetheassessmentoftheinformationpreviouslyprovidedby
HQNORCOMregardingtheCOI.A.TheCOIwasoriginallysightedinposition1004South10521Eastat050734[SIC]UTC;itwasdeadin
thewater.B.Aradarcontactwasobservedinposition1004South10518Eastat051528UTC.ThiswasMVShanghaiSpiritandnotthe
COI.HMASWarramungawas38.59nmtosouthwestofMVShanghaiSpiritatthetime.ContactwithMVShanghaiSpiritleadtothe
surveillanceareatosoutheastofChristmasIsland,withacourseof117degreesat6knots.C.Alightwassightedinapproximate
position0957South10500Eastat060517UTCandHMASWarramungawas47.25nmtothesoutheastofthelight.D.Attime061102
UTCHMASWarramungahasconductedasearchofanarea33.6nmtocentrepointtonorthwestoflastknownpositionofCOI.4.SAR
ASSESSMENT:TheCOIwasdeadinthewaterandwouldhavedriftedtothewestthensouthwestovertimefromLKPtopresent.Itwas
unlikelythatHMASWarramungawouldhavedetectedtheCOIonradarattime051528UTC.TheCOIwasprobably15nmtothewest
northwestoftheradarcontactatthattime.ThelightsightedbyHMASWarramungaisunlikelytohavebeenrelatedtoCOIowingtolow
heightofeyeofvesselanddistancefrompredictedpositionofCOItoHMASWarramungaattimeofsighting.TheCOIwaslikelytohave
beensouthwestofHMASWarramungasearchareawhenvesselwasconductingsearchtonorthwestofLKP.
TheCOIwaslikelytohavebeenafullsweepwidthtothewestofAP3Csearchareaanddetectionmayhavebeencompromiseddueto
seastateandhullprofileandcomposition.ThenetwatermovementdriftmodelplacestheCOItocurrentlybedriftingtowest
northwestofChristmasIslandatbetween74and84nmwithanapproximatecentrepointof1003.14South10417.96East.As
discussed,thefirstsurveillanceareaforsurveillanceaircraftisrecommendedas4023squarenmasthehighestprobabilitytolocatea
driftingvessel.RCCAustraliasassessmentisthatthevesselmaynothavebeensightedduringsurveillance,owingtoitslowhullprofile
andtheseaconditions.RadarcontactwasincorrectlyattributedtoMVShanghaiSpirit.IfHMASWarramungaisdeployedtothewestof
ChristmasIsland,theCOImaybedetectedbyelectronicorvisualmeans.RCCAustraliadoesnotholdaSARphaseatthistimeowingto
thelikelihoodthatithasdriftedoutofthesurveillanceareapriortothearrivalofassetsonscene.RCCAustraliaconcurswith
HQNORCOMplantodeployanAP3COriontoconductsurveillanceforthisCOIundertaskingofDefence.RCCAustraliafurther
acknowledgesthatatpresentthisvesselisanunaccountedforcontactofinterestunderJointTaskForce(JTF)639tasking.
[PostincidentanalysisbyCustomsandBorderProtectionCommandindicates:
thatBPCairandsurfaceassetsconductedsurveillanceoftheareasthattheCOIcouldhavebeenexpectedtobein,hadthat
vesselremaineddriftingsinceitsinitialdetection;
thattherewaspartialerrorintheoperationalreportfromHMASWarramunga;andthat
thisleadtoRCCAustraliamakinganassessmentthatthelightwasatasignificantdistancefromHMASWarramunga.]
5
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
062108UTC To/fromRCCAustraliarecommendtheAP3CdropaSARDatumBuoy(SDB)tovalidatethenetwatermovement.TheCustomsDash8
aircraft,relocatingtoChristmasIsland,canalsoreacquiretheSDBforfurthervalidation.
062136UTC NORCOMadviseRCCAustraliathatAP3CwilldepartDarwinat062145UTCandETAonstation060130UTC;HMASWarramungawillgo
tosearchlocationandstartsurfacesearch.
062138UTC RCCAustraliaprovidetaskingadvicetoAP3CviaHQNORCOM.
RCCAustraliahasprovidedasearcharea,basedonthenetwatermovement,fortheAP3Ctorelocatethetarget.RCCAustraliarequest
thattheAP3CdropaSDBattheLKP(1004.0South10521.0East).TaskingfortheDash8istoproceedtoChristmasIslandandtore
acquiretheSDBforvalidationofthenetwatermovementmodelling.ThiswillassistRCCAustraliatovalidatetheprobabilityof
detection.
062138UTC RCCAustraliasendsamessagetoHQNORCOMadvisingthatRCCAustraliahasprovidedtheAP3Cwithasearchareafortherelocationof
thetarget.RCCAustraliarecommendsthattheSDBisdroppedatthelastknownpositionsothatthesearchareacanbevalidatedfor
probabilityofdetection.OtheraircraftproceedingtotheareacanthenreacquiretheSDBsothatthenetwatermovementmodelling
canbefurthervalidated.
062316UTC RCCAustraliaadviseallauthoritiesthatSARcoordinationhasbeentransferredtoRCCAustralia.Owingtotheextendedtimelapsesince
lastdetectionofCOI,RCCAustraliahasconcernforthevesselssafetyandanalert(Urgency)phaseisdeclared.RCCAustraliarequests
thatAP3Csearchtheareapreviouslyprovided.
062329UTC HQJointOperationsCommandrequestRCCAustraliasendarequestformilitaryassistance.
062330UTC RCCAustraliarequestSARweatherforecastfromtheBureauofMeteorology.
062333UTC ConfirmationmessagetoAMSOC/BPC/NORCOMsentfromRCCAustralia,advisingofdeclarationofalert(Urgency)phaseandformal
requestfortransferofcoordinationfromDefencetoRCCAustralia.RCCAustraliaprovideadescriptionofthevesselandthesearcharea
sizeof8000squarenm.RCCAustraliarequestassistancewithassetsincludingSARdropcapablesearchaircraftthatarecapableof
locatingthetarget.
062334UTC RCCAustraliarequestAMSOCconfirmSARequipmentstatusonDASH8outofBroome.
062337UTC RCCAustraliasendDefenceaformalrequestformilitaryassistance.
062338UTC AMSOCreportthatDASH8hasnoSARgearonboardfromBroome,butcanpicksomeupatExmouthwithoutrefuellingifrequired.
062359UTC AMSOCrequiresataskingrequest forBPCaircraft.
070000UTC RCCAustraliaissueUrgencybroadcast.
6
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
070020UTC SITREP3fromBPCresentdueITissueswiththegroupmailaddress.
Subject:AMSASAR2013/3821(formerlyContactofinterest,detected28nmnorthwestofChristmasIsland):SITREP3asat0940AEST,
Friday,07June2013
Atapproximately0921AESTtodayRCCexpressedconcernsforthesafetyoftheCOIbasedontheextendedtimeframefromthelast
detection.Owingtotheaboveconcerns,RCCAustraliahasdeclaredanurgencyphase,hastakencoordination,anddesignatedthis
incidentAMSASAR2013/3821.RCCAustraliahasrequestedDefenceassistance,andaRAAFMaritimePatrolaircraftisresponding.
07022UTC RCCAustraliaprovideSARareaforecasttooperationalassets.
Nilwarningswindsoutherly15to20knots.Cloudytoovercastwithvisibilityto10km,SeaState34,swell2to2.5metres.Surface
currentnorthwardat2knots.Extendedoutlookflowmoderatinglighttomoderateovertheweekendasthenextanticyclonemoves
east,southoftheareaandthedepressiontotheeastfills.Alowtomoderatelevelofconvectiveactivityisexpectedtopersistinthe
vicinityofthesearchdatum.
070028UTC MasterMVSafmarineMakuturespondstobroadcast.RCCAustraliatasksmerchantvesseltoDay2,Search1(D2S1)searcharea;ETAfor
vessel17hours.
070036UTC AP3Cbriefedfor7Junetasking.
070123UTC MasterSafmarineMakuturespondstobroadcasttoshipping,providesemailaddressandrequestsacknowledgement.
070126UTC HQNORCOMadvisesthatHMASWarramungaremainsinsearchareacontinuingsearchtonorthwestofChristmasIsland.AP3Chas
departedDarwinat2201UTC(0801K)withETAonsceneof0145UTC.
070139UTC RCCAustraliaissueUrgencymessage.
070140UTC RCCAustraliaadviseHQNORCOMofSARtaskingforMVSafmarineMakutu.
070150UTC RCCAustraliaconfirmreceiptofmessagefromMVSafmarineMakutu.
070202UTC RCCAustraliaprovideaviationsearchareacoordinatestoMVSafmarineMakutu.
070210UTC RCCAustraliaquerypositionofHMASWarramunga0937South10437East,course180,speed13knots.HMASGlenelg
checking/confirmingwhetherCOIdetectedbyradaronChristmasIslandissameCOI.
070238UTC AP3CreportsrelocatingtheSDB.
070248UTC MVThaiBrightacknowledgesreceivingtheurgencybroadcastbutnottransitingthearea.
070322UTC MVAlphaVisionacknowledgesreceivingtheurgencybroadcastbutnottransitingthearea.
070342UTC MVMolEminence45nmeastofCOIlastreportedposition.Nosightings,awaitinginstructions.
070356UTC MasterMVMolEminenceconfirmstaskingofvessel.
070408UTC MVMolEminenceadvisesthattaskingisreceivedandthatsearchinghascommenced.
7
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
070409UTC RCCAustraliaprovidesaviationsearchareacoordinatestoMVMolEminence.
070415UTC NORCOMadvisevessel(SIEV737)isnotthesameincident.RCCAustraliarequestAP3Cdivertbacktooriginalsearchareatasking.
070427UTC BPCprovideupdateonSAR2013/3821.
Atapproximately1230AESTtoday,aRAAFMaritimePatrolaircraft,operatinginsupportoftheSAR,arrivedonsceneandcommenced
searching.HMASWarramungaisalsooperatinginsupportoftheSAR.RCCAustraliaretainscoordinationoftheincident.
070433UTC RCCAustraliarequestapprovalofAMSOCtotaskDASH8tosearchfortargetandgetsapproval.
070519UTC AP3Creportssightingasubmergedobjectandanorangeobjectinthearea.Nowconductingasectorsearch300yardradius.
070523UTC MVMolEminenceacknowledgesreceiptofRCCAustraliamessage;steamingcourseto312Trueat14knots.
ETAtoposition0854S10553Eis0900UTCon07June.
070540UTC RCCAustraliarequestsMVShinIzutomaintaincourseandspeedandtokeepalookastheytransitthearea.
070546UTC RCCAustraliaprovideaviationSARcoordinatestoMVMolEminence.
070559UTC RCCAustraliarequestthat92WingtaskanAP3Ctoconductafivenmradiussectorsearchbasedonthedebrisfield.Requestforlat/long
ofdebrisfield.DASH8toassumesearchtakeoveratcompletionofAP3CtaskingPLE(prudentlimitofendurance).
070600UTC AMSOCreportsightingbyAP3CtoRCCAustralia.AMSOCreportthatanAP3ChassightedasubmergedIndonesian,TypeIIImulti
colouredhullwithsomedebris,5lifepreservers.HMASWarramungaisproceedingwithETA0630UTC.RCCAustraliaadvisethatthe
broadcastwillberesentasadistressbroadcast.AP3Ctoconductasectorsearchofthedatum0957.0South10434.0East.RCC
Australiahasbeencompilingasurfacepictureofmerchantships;somearecloseby,othersarefaraway.Lightwillbecomeanissue,so
thedebrisfieldwillbethefocusofsearchingupuntillastlight.
070602UTC RCCAustraliaissueaDistressbroadcast.
070604UTC RCCAustraliadeclareDistressPhase,basedonvisualreportsandwreckage.
070616UTC RCCAustraliarequestassistancetolocatesubmergedhullfromMVShinIzu.
070616UTC RCCAustraliaupdaterequestformilitaryassistance.
070618UTC HQNORCOMSITREP2:HMASWarramunga continuestosearchareaprovidedbyRCCAUSbasedondriftmodellinguntilinformedof
debrisbyAP3C.AP3Chaslocateddebrisinwater65nmwestnorthwestofChristmasIsland(position0957S10434E)intheformofa
submergedmulticolouredTypeIIIhullandapproximatelyfivelifejackets.APC3recoveringtoCocosIslandowingtofuel(time1730Kilo)
andfuellimitations.RCCAustraliahastaskedAP3Ctoconductfivenmsectorsearcharounddebrisdatum.HMASWarramungais
enroutetodatumETA0640UTC(1640K)toinvestigateandpossiblyconfirmvesselashullsunktwodaysprior.SecondAP3Cairborne
fromCocosIslandwithETAdatum0730UTC(1730K).RCCtaskingtobeadvised.RCCAustraliaadvisethatabroadcasthasbeenmade
forallmerchantvesselstransitingthesearchareatoprovidesightingreportswhilstpassingthrough
8
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
070619UTC BureauofMeteorologyissueSARForecastvalid070600 080600 UTC. [Note:regular6hourlyforecastsprovidedbyBoMthroughout].
070628UTC MVMellumTraderinformsRCCAustraliapresentposition enrouteSingaporefromBunbury.
070638UTC MVSafmarineMakutuadvisesRCCAustraliaoftheirintentiontoproceedwithpresentspeedandcoursetolatitude1040.00E.ETA
071430UTC.Inmarsaturgencymessagereceived.
070741UTC DASH8completesSLDMBdropinposition0957South10433Eastandreportsintenttoconductradar/visualsearchbetweendebris
fieldandlastknownpositionthenrecovertoExmouth.
070754UTC MVSafmarineMakutuadvisesRCCAustraliaofposition1029.00South10450.00Eastat1500UTCon7June.
070811UTC HQNORCOMinformRCCAustraliathatHMASWarramungahasreportedtwolifejackets(1004.32S10434.06E)anddebrisfieldoverfour
nmdiameter.Onelargepieceofblue/greendebrissightedassessmentofHQNORCOMwasthatitdidn'tmatchimageryofmissing
vessel.HMASWarramungaandAP3Ctaskingnowfocussedonrelocatingthesubmergedsuperstructurepreviouslyreported.
070831UTC MVAthinearespondstobroadcastanddivertstoassist.
070905UTC DASH8reportssightingSIEVrelatedtoincident2013/3759.
070906UTC MVMolEminence70nmnortheastofreporteddebrisfield.
070914UTC MVAthineareportspositionandETA.
070932UTC HQNORCOMcontactRCCAustraliatodiscussongoingsearchrequirementsandneedforAP3CandDash8.RCCAustraliaconfirms
continuationofsearchon8Juneandrequirementforaircraft.HQNORCOMconfirmHMASWarramungahadrecoveredalifejacket,but
assessedthatitdidn'tlooklikeonenormallyassociatedwithasylumseekervessels.HQNORCOMalsoadvisedthatattemptshadbeen
madetodestroyaSIEVtwodaysagoapproximately60nmfromthe'debrisfield'.Thepositionanddescriptionofthevesselwouldbeon
passedtoCCAustraliaforconsideration.
070951UTC RCCAustraliacontactHQNORCOMandrequestcontactdetailsforHMASWarramunga.AlsorequesttheAP3Cbetoldtomovethesector
searchtothedebrisfieldtheyreportedsighting.
070953UTC RCCAustraliataskAP3Ctoconductsectorsearchbasedon debrisfield.
071020UTC RCCAustraliaconfirmsHMASWarramungatoproceedtodebrisfield.
071039UTC Searchinstructionsprovidedtomerchantvessels.
071039UTC RCCAustraliathanksMVMolEminenceforassistance.
071057UTC RCCAustraliaadvisesMVTascoAmarit tocontinuescheduledvoyage.
071100UTC HQNORCOMreportAP3Csightedabodyinposition1005.37South10439.44Eastat1046UTC.HMASWarramungaeightnmfrom
locationanddiverting.
9
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
071114UTC AP3Ccommencesectorsearches,5and10nmarounddebrisfield.Seconddebrisfieldlocatedtothesouth.OneAP3Ctaskedtosecond
debrisfieldtoconduct5nmsectorsearch.Onebodysightedat1046UTCandreportedtoHMASWarramungawhoisenroutetonew
datumtocontinuethesearchforsurvivors. OneAP3CtoproceedofftasktoDarwinat1130UTCowingtofuel.
071139UTC HQNORCOMconfirmHMASWarramunga recoveringbodyfromthewater [seeendnote2];nosatellitephonecommunicationwith
HMASWarramungathereforeHQNORCOMwillrelayRCCAustraliasinstructionsviaDefencesystem.RCCAustraliarequestHMAS
Warramungafocussearcheffortsonthisdebrisfieldandalongtheassociateddriftline.HQNORCOMconfirmthatHMASWarramungais
comfortablewithcoordinatingsurfacesearchactivitiesoftwomerchantvessels.
071203UTC HQNORCOMSITREP4SAR2013AP3CextendingandrecoveringtoCocosIsland.Newofftasktimeapproximately1330UTC.
071203UTC HQNORCOMSITREP5.RCCAustraliahasreleasedAP3C.HMASWarramungahasarrivedinvicinityofnewdatumandconductingsearch
forsurvivors.HMASWarramungaremainsOSCandwillcoordinatefurthermerchantvesselsbeingdivertedtoscene.
071257UTC HMASWarramungareportonelifejacketandalargepieceofdebrisrecovered.Relocationofthebodyisprovingverydifficultintotal
darkness.Allavailablelightsourceshavebeenutilisedtoassistinsearch.
071321UTC HMASWarramungaunabletolocatebody,buthasrecoveredlifejacketandbluedebris refertoBPCHQNORCOMSITREP6
071350UTC AerorescuePerthbasedDornieraircraftadviseRCCAustraliaofintentiontodepartforChristmasIslandandestimatesearchtimeon
scenetobeonehour.
071407UTC AMSOCadviseRCCAustraliathatnootheraircraftavailable.
071417UTC HQNORCOMSITREP6.HMASWarramunga notabletolocatethebody;remainsonscenecontinuingthesearch.RCCAustraliamaintains
coordinationresponsibility.AP3Caircrafthavedepartedtheareawithnofurthersightingsreported.
071525UTC RCCAustraliaadvisemerchantvesselsofintentionsovernight7Juneandfollowingday,8June.Merchantvesselsaretaskedasthe
primaryrescueplatformsfor8Juneandarerequestedtobepositionedacrossthesearchareatoprovidethebestcoveragetorespond
tosightingsbytheaircraft.Vesselsshouldbeinpositionby0200UTCon8June.
071542UTC RCCAustraliarequestHQNORCOMcontactHMASWarramungaandaskthemtocallMVSafmarineMakuturegardingsearchoperations.
071712UTC HQNORCOMSITREP7.MVSafmarineMakutuconfirmedincontactwithHMASWarramunga.
071738UTC HMASWarramungaadvisesonsceneweather:wind130degreesat16knots,partlycloudy,SeaState3,swell200degreesat1metre,
pressure1009.2andfallingseatemp28.9degrees.
071758UTC IndicationofonscenedriftsenttoHQNORCOMbyRCCAustralia,whoaskHQNORCOMtopassthisinformationtoHMASWarramunga.
Thedriftislessthanoneknot.
072119UTC DayThreesearchplan.
10
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
072341UTC RCCAustraliaamenddaythreesearcharea,reorientingtheareatotakeNWM,LKPsighting(050743UTC)ofdriftandset,timeframe,
distancefromtheSLDMBandSDB,sightingreportsofsubmergedhull,thetwosectorsearchescompletedbybothAP3CaircraftonD2
andsightingreportofpersondeceasedinlifejacket(071046UTC)andtargettype(person,smallvessel)intoconsideration.
080014UTC BPCprovideMVBritishCurlew withinstructionsrelatingtodisembarkingpassengersatChristmasIsland.
080044UTC RCCAustraliaprovideSitreptoBASARNAS.
080140UTC SearchareasasassignedbyHMASWarramungasentbyRCCAustraliatomerchantvesselsAthineaandSafmarineMakutu.
080302UTC RCCAustraliaadvisemedicalsurvivalexpertwithdetailsofincidentbyRCCAustraliatoinformhisassessmentoftimeframeforsurvival
(TFFS).
080521UTC Bodysightedinposition1007.16South10436.31East.DASH8advisenolifejacketvisible.HMASWarramungaETA080555UTC
080544UTC DASH8reportmorebodiessightedinsameposition.Twohoursremainingonscene.
080600UTC RCCAustraliadiscussrecoveryofdeceasedbodiesbyHMASWarramungawithHQNORCOM.Agreementthatrecoveryofbodiesis
difficultowingtotheircondition.Agreementthatthefocusofthesearchisforsurvivors.
080602UTC CustomsprovidereportsofbodiestoRCCAustralia.
080618UTC RCCAustraliaadviseDay3Search2toships.Revisedsearchareaisbasedonsightingsoffivedeceasedpersons.RCCAustraliatosend
updatedtaskingtoaircraft.
080635UTC CustomsprovidereportsofbodiestoRCCAustralia.
080653UTC HMASWarramungatotalofninebodiessighted,1inlifejacket.Notrecoveringbodies.
080745UTC MedicalsurvivalexpertprovidesRCCAustraliawithtimeframeforsurvivalassessment.SurvivaltoendofdaySunday09Jun13is
possiblebutunlikely.SurvivalthoughthenightofSun09Juneisnotconsideredpossible.
080757UTC CustomsprovidereportsofbodiestoRCCAustralia.
080816UTC RCCAustraliaproviderevisedsurfacesearchareaassignmenttomerchantvessels.
081032UTC MVBritishCurlewacknowledgesMayday.
081100UTC MVAthineainformsRCCAustraliaofintentiontocontinueinsearchon9June.
081116UTC HQNORCOMSITREP10.Atotalof11bodiesobservedbysearchassets.APC3continuestoupdateHMASWarramunga(OSC)withdebris
andbodysightings.DASH8offtaskat0810UTCreturningtoChristmasIslandtorefuel.Gulfstreamhasjoinedthesearch;currently
refuellingbeforerejoiningthesearch.
081127UTC MVAthineaavailableforsearchoperationsovernightand9June.
11
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
081301UTC HQNORCOMSITREP9asat2300AEST8June.Anumberofdeceasedpersonshavebeenlocatedwithinthe searcharea.Theidentityof
anassociatedfounderedvesselisnotconfirmed.MerchantVesselsMVAthinea,MVSafmarineMakutuaswellasHMASWarramunga
continuetosearchforsurvivors.DASH8,AP3Caircraft,andcommercialaircrafthavebeenreleasedfromSARtaskingforthedayowing
tofailinglightandfuelconstraints.Allaircraftarescheduledtoresumesearcheffortson9June.RCCretainscoordinationoftheincident.
081358UTC RCCAustraliaplansDay4Search1.
081427UTC RCCAustraliareleaseHMASWarramungafromtaskingon2013/3821owingtosecondincident2013/3888responserequiredandHMAS
Warramungabeingtheonlyassetabletoproceed.
081535UTC HQNORCOMSITREP12.HMASWarramungahasbeenreleasedtorespondto2013/3888,129nmnorthofChristmasIsland.Merchant
vesselsonscenewillnowcoordinatesearchoperationsinconjunctionwithRCCAustralia.
081601UTC MVSafmarineMakutureportssightingofbodyinposition10.02.4South10422.9Eastinlifejacketwithwhiteshirtunabletotellif
maleorfemale.
082240UTC Day4Search1approvalfortaskingoftwocorporatejetsaircraft,VHPPDandVHTXS,inadditiontoRescue461andDASH8.
090107UTC DAY4searchareasprovidedtomerchantvesselsbyRCCAustralia.
090526UTC RCCAustraliaprovideupdatedbrieftomedicalsurvivalexpertoftheongoingsearchoperationandconfirmthathissurvivalassessment
remainsthesameasyesterday'sreport,thatisthatnoonecouldsurvivebeyondtonight(9June).
090821UTC RCCAustraliaprovidesgeneraladvicetothoseinvolvedinthesearchregardingdayfour(9June)searchandrescueoperations.Search
assetsincludedfoursearchaircraftandtwomerchantvessels,includingRescue461,CUS123,VHTXSandVHPPPD;MVAthineaandMV
SafmarineMakutu.HMASWarramungawasunabletoparticipateowingtoarequirementtolocateanasylumseekervessel
approachingChristmasIsland.Atotalof14deceasedbodiesweresightedwithinthesearchareatodayalongwithsomeflotsam/debris
whichmayberelatedtothesunkenvessel.Onedeceasedwaswearingalifejacket.Nosurvivorswerefoundthroughouttheday4
search.5.RCCAustraliareceivedadviceregardingsurvivability.Theassessmenthasbeenbasedontheelapsedtimesincethevessel
couldnotberelocated,theactualweatheronscene,andsightingsreportedduringsearchoperations.Notingthattheweatherhasnot
significantlyimproved,thatnilsurvivorshavebeenlocatedduring9Jun,andtheabsenceofsuitableassetstosearchforpersonsinthe
waterovernight,RCCAustraliaintendstosuspendfurthersearchoperationsoncompletionoftheday'ssearchactivity.
090837UTC HQNORCOMSITREP13.Twomerchantvesselsandfouraircraftcontinuedsearchingthroughouttheday.AP3Constandbyforfurther
SAR2013/3821taskinghasbeenverballyreleasedbyRCCAustralia,whoadvisethattherehasbeennothingsignificanttoreportandwill
formalisereportingontodaysevents.
090852UTC DefenceadvisecessationofADFassistanceforSARoperations(TASKOPORD060/13).
091110UTC RCCAustraliasuspendsearchoperations.MVAthineaandMVSafmarineMakutureleasedfromSARoperations.SARbroadcast
cancelled.
12
DTG(allJune
2013)
Description
100503UTC HQNORCOMSITREP14&FINAL. RCCAustraliahassuspendedsearchactivitiesbasedonsurvivabilitymodels.Allassetshavebeen
releasedtoassistwithotherSAReventsInthesameregion.Planshavebeenenactedtosupportalldefencepersonnelinvolvedwith
eventsofthisSAR.
121000UTC BodyreportedbyAP3Con12JuneduringaBPCtask.
i

Endnotes
i

1. Timesarederivedfromanumberofsources
Automatedtimestampsautomaticallyallocatedtimeassignedto:
Draftsofmessageswhereatimeisallocatedwhenanewmessageisstartedfordrafting;and
Timeofdespatchisatimethatthesystemautomaticallyallocateswhenthemessageistransmitted.

Whenindividualstakenotestheycheckthetimeontheclockandmakeanoteonhandwrittennotes.
Whenanoteisenteredintotheincidentmanagementsystem,thenoteisstampedautomatically.Thistimecouldvaryfromthetimeonthehandwrittennote.
Telephonerecordingsareautomaticallytimestamped.
Timezonesbringinanotherelement.
RCCAustraliareportinUTCorZ(GreenwichMeanTime);
whenspeakingtootheragenciesinCanberra,thelocalorAustralianEasternStandardTimeissometimesused;and
DefenceandCustomsassetsmayalsorefertolocaltimeatthescenewhichisKilotimeforthisincident.

2. RCCAustraliareportedon9Junethatatotalof14bodiesweresightedwithinthesearchareaonthatday.ThiswasthelargesttotalofbodiesreportedbyRCC
Australia.RCCAustraliareceivedanumberofreportsthatbodieshadbeensighted,howeverowingtothemovementofwater,itisdifficulttosaywhetherthe
samebodywasreportedanumberoftimes.RCCAustraliawasadvisedthatnobodieswererecovered.