An investigation has been launched following an incident involving a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sea boat off Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
The rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) overturned as it was offloading passengers alongside the frigate HMAS 'Darwin'. The RHIB was in the process of transferring members of the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal, support staff and Defence Force personnel from the patrol boat HMAS 'Maitland'.
All personnel were recovered from the water and some minor injuries were sustained. Four of them were taken to HMAS 'Darwin' with the remaining six being returned to HMAS 'Maitland'. Both ships have returned to Darwin. Two people were transferred to hospital as a precaution to be assessed by civilian medical authorities.
RHIBs are used widely across the RAN to transfer personnel. In this instance, the RHIB was capable of carrying up to twenty people.