Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Ian Campbell, the Minister representing the Minister for Defence. Can the minister confirm reports that a submarine rescue vessel operated by defence’s submarine rescue contractor, Cal Dive, sank yesterday while taking part in a submarine escape exercise off the coast of Perth? Is it true that civilian personnel on board the rescue vessel had to themselves be rescued by defence after the vessel sank to the sea floor? Can the minister advise the Senate of the fate of the submarine rescue vessel—does it remain on the sea floor? If so, does that mean that defence’s submarine fleet will have to be withdrawn from service until such time as the submarine rescue vessel is recovered from the sea floor and repaired? How long is that likely to take?