Queensland Police News

A bulk carrier assisted in the rescue of an injured mariner sailing solo off the coast of Australia.After receiving a distress beacon from a 10-meter yacht with a 70-year-old solo crew member located 167 kilometers east of Double Island Point, Qld., the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) diverted the Malta-flagged merchant vessel Skiathos to the yacht's location.The 229-meter-long Skiathos found the yacht and brought the vessel alongside.AMSA tasked the Melbourne-based Challenger jet and a Brisbane-based CHC helicopter to attend the scene…

The Australian Government is joining forces with countries from around the world to conduct Exercise PACIFIC PROTECTOR, as part of an ongoing major international commitment to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and related materials. The exercise will be held in Cairns, Queensland from 6–9 September 2017 as part of the Proliferation Security Initiative, which is an effort by 105 partner countries to build networks, tools and capabilities to counter illicit weapons of mass destruction-related trade across the globe. Participants will take part in academic sessions, a table top exercise, a subject matter exchange training program…

In the middle an intense training and systems check period, HMAS Darwin slipped into the Brisbane River and berthed across from Navy’s home in southern Queensland, HMAS Moreton. The frigate’s arrival in Brisbane coincided with the first anniversary since the local base was re-commissioned. On arrival, Commanding Officer Darwin Commander Phillip Henry was met by the Commanding Officer Moreton, Commander Mark McConnell, who welcomed the ship to the city. After taking care of all the necessary ship-keeping duties, the crew, who had a surprising number of family connections in the area, ventured ashore for some well-earned rest and relaxation.

Three stranded mariners adrift in the Torres Straight have been rescued thanks to the crew of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Following a request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Orion aircraft detected three occupants in a five meter fishing boat in the Torres Straight at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16. The boat was displaying an orange “V” distress signal. The Queensland Police were directed to the vessel's location, approximately 35 nautical miles North West of Moa Island. Squadron Leader Duncan Flemington, Air Surveillance Operations Officer at the Headquarters Northern Command in Darwin said the rescue demonstrates the AP-3C Orion's versatility in search and rescue missions.

A general cargo vessel experiencing mechanical issues near the Great Barrier Reef is under tow, the response coordinator Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reported. Antigua and Barbuda flagged general cargo vessel, Thor Commander, reported on Sunday night it had damaged its main engine, and a towline was established Monday evening between the disabled vessel and an assisting Chinese flagged merchant vessel, Xinfa Hai. Xinfa Hai is towing the vessel slowly in an easterly direction ahead of the tug’s arrival on Tuesday morning. AMSA directed the owners and Master of Thor Commander under the Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981 to accept a tow to prevent it drifting further.

Seven men have been issued a $2,040 infringement notice after deliberately jumping from a moving domestic commercial vessel into the Brisbane River, informs the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Queensland Water Police Senior Sergeant Warren Francis, said this was an extremely dangerous stunt and the men were lucky to escape injury. “The risk of injury or death is very high with this type of activity and it was an extremely reckless and dangerous stunt. The Queensland Police Service reminds people that any report of unsafe action on the water will be fully investigated and reported to the appropriate authority for prosecution,” Senior Sergeant Francis said.

Austal announced that an agreement had been reached to acquire Canberra based Australian Technology Information Pty Ltd (ATI). ATI is an Australian company that provides specialized services to the Australian Defence Forces including systems engineering and integration, information technology, verification and validation systems and deployable tactical command centres. “These technologies are an ideal complement to Austal’s existing design and production capability in the defence sector and will allow Austal to expand the range of services and products that it can deliver to defence customers worldwide”. Having recently delivered patrol boats to the Queensland Police…

Austal confirms an unconditional contract has been signed with a value of approximately $11.3m with the Queensland Police Force for the construction of three72-ft. catamaran police boats.  The vessels will be constructed at Austal’s Tasmanian shipyard and are scheduled for delivery by mid 2009.

Police from the Marine Area Command have coordinated a three-day joint operation designed to test the capabilities of state and federal agencies working together in a major border protection exercise. The operation, which began yesterday, involves NSW Police officers from areas including Marine Area Command and POLair, supported by police from the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command. Operation Baker is a multi-agency initiative co-ordinated by NSW Police and supported by Australian Customs Service, NSW Fisheries, Australian Fisheries and Management Authority, NSW Maritime Authority, Australian Federal Police, and Queensland Police. The exercise is targeting illegal activities in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone out to 200 nautical miles to sea.