UPDATE - Andrew Bolt reports AMSA confirms 104 POB - No interceptions, no boats since Sunday?
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
UPDATED- 1600 31 July 2013
Andrew Bolt has spoken with AMSA and has received confirmation of 104 POB, disembarked today by HMAS Maryborough after the PAN PAN PAN incident yesterday Tuesday. So much for no boats since Sunday. Add to that Sharon's eyewitness report of disporportionately high women and children ratio and a picture starts to emerge.
ENDS
I know that the Australian Government is trying to run the line that there have been no boats since Sunday,m 28 July, 2013.
Yesterday one of our readers JP was monitoring the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and its various warnings and alerts to ships at sea.
He sent me this note at 6.37PM yesterday 30 July, 2013
Michael..I monitor the AMSA site and there was a Pan Pan message earlier today about a indonesian vessel taking on water..It has been removed, which in itself it very strange..It should never be removed, at the very least downgraded..Not removed..Worth a question..JP
I said to him,
yeah I saw it too, this one right
PAN PAN
FM RCC AUSTRALIA 292332Z JUL 2013 AUSSAR 2013/5126
INDIAN OCEAN NORTHERN PART CHART AUS 4071
A WHITE IN COLOUR INDONESIAN STYLE VESSEL WITH APPROXIMATELY 85 ASYLUM SEEKERS ONBOARD REPORTED TO BE IN
THE VICINITY OF 06-58.8S 105-01.9E AT 292110UTC JULY 2013. VESSEL HAS REQUESTED ASSISTANCE AND MAY BE ON A SOUTHERLY COURSE. VESSELS TRANSITING THE AREA ARE REQUESTED TO KEEP A SHARP LOOKOUT AND REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS TO THIS STATION OR RCC AUSTRALIAVessel is 390km NNW of Christmas Island and is off the SW tip of West Java.
He said,
Thats the one..nothing at all, even in past notices..and thats very, very strange...Well done today..Hope the feedback was good..Ben's producer is a nice fellow as well..Lachlan..Great team..Yes..
And a short while later
I have emailed the centre for advice as to what happened to the vessel and alert status removal..I will let you know when I get a response...
Here is that response. Important points. The alert was issued at 09.32 Sydney time yesterday, 30 July 2013.
Below you will see the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's email to our reader confirming that the incident is complete and
In this case, I can advise that the asylum seekers were taken to Christmas Island.
Dear Mr PRequests for information normally are handled via Freedom of Information. To request information via FOI, please seehttp://www.amsa.gov.au/about-amsa/corporate-information/freedom-of-information/Cancelling broadcasts is a routine process that occurs when an incident is complete. In this case, I can advise that the asylum seekers were taken to Christmas Island.If you require more information, please contact AMSA’s FOI officer.Debra GalweyERD EXECUTIVE SUPPORTEMERGENCY RESPONSE DIVISIONAustralian Maritime Safety Authority