[Extracted from Senate Hansard, 28 February 2006]

Illegal Entry Vessels
(Question No. 1409)

Senator Milne asked the Minister representing the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 1 December 2005:

(1) (a) How many rescues of suspected illegal entry vessels was the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) involved in between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2001; (b) what were the codenames of those suspected illegal entry vessels; and (c) how many passengers were aboard those vessels.

(2) How many broadcasts to shipping and/or overdue notices related to suspected illegal entry vessels were issued by AMSA between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2001.

(3) (a) What action was taken by AMSA in relation to the rescue at sea of the suspected illegal entry vessel codenamed Gelantipy; (b) will the Minister provide all records that are held by AMSA in relation to the rescue of the vessel codenamed Gelantipy; and (c) will the Minister provide all records of telephone conversations held by AMSA in relation to the rescue of the vessel codenamed Gelantipy.

Senator Ian Campbell- The Minister for Transport and Regional Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(1) (a) AMSA undertook rescue operations in relation to the suspected illegal entry vessel 'Palapa 1' in August 2001 but had no operational involvement in relation to subsequent suspected illegal entry vessels.

(b) AMSA does not allocate codenames to vessels.

(c) AMSA’s records show that 'Palapa 1' was carrying around 434 people.

(2) AMSA issued a broadcast to shipping in relation to 'Palapa 1'. AMSA does not issue 'overdue notices'. On 22 October 2001, AMSA advised BASARNAS, the Indonesian search and rescue authority, of concerns in relation to a suspected illegal entry vessel that was potentially overdue on a voyage from Indonesia.

(3) AMSA is unable to identify a vessel by the codename Gelantipy

X-URL:http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/dailys/ds280206.pdf

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