Aussies fast to help in sinking ship

AUSTRALIA responded within minutes of the sinking of the mv Rabaul Queen, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd told federal parliament on its first day of sitting Tuesday.
While offering condolence and sympathy for those dead or missing, Rudd said Australia played a key role in coordinating search and rescue facilities. While he did not express it explicitly, it is believed Australia’s role and quick response was largely responsible for the rescue of the majority of passengers.
Within minutes of the incident, Australian maritime safety authority passed on the distress signal to transiting ships which resulted in five foreign vessels responding and moving into the area.
Within a few hours, two AMSA rescue aircraft were deployed – one from Cairns and the other from Darwin, Rudd said.
“The aircraft from Cairns was able to drop life rafts into the sea to assist survivors while they waited to be rescued by merchant vessels,” Rudd said.
“They were joined in the search on the first day by a Royal Australian Air Force P3 Orion aircraft.  An Australian Border Command Dash 8 also contributed to the search and rescue operation. AMSA also engaged three helicopters and two civilian aircraft in the search, including a Queensland Careflight jet.
 “Australians were shocked to learn of the terrible loss of lives that occurred on Feb 2 with the sinking of the ship. As might be expected of a close friend and neighbour, Australia has been heavily involved in support for the PNG-led response to this disaster.
“Australians can justifiably be proud of our rapid and effective response.”
AMSA also deployed several Australian rescue and recovery personnel to Lae to assist.
The Australian high commission in Port Moresby deployed a naval officer to the PNG Maritime Safety Authority. Another Defence member of the High Commission staff, based in Lae coordinated with local agencies there, and arranged refuelling of the search and rescue aircraft.