KEY POINTS:
The sailor who drowned off the coast of the Far North has been named as Able Hydrographic Systems Operator Byron James Solomon, from Auckland.
Mr Solomon, 22, was in an inflatable boat next to HMNZS Canterbury with three other sailors when it capsized in waters off Cape Reinga yesterday morning.
Mr Solomon joined the Navy on 12 January 2005 specialising in the Hydrographic Branch.
He joined the crew of HMNZS Canterbury in late August 2007 and had previous sea experience aboard the Navy's Hydrographic and Survey Ship, HMNZS Resolution.
Two others were injured in yesterday's incident.
Commodore David Anson said the group was carrying out a routine check of the vessel HMNZS Canterbury and an investigation would determine whether equipment malfunction or a procedural error caused the accident.
"We haven't lost a sailor in an accident like this in my memory and I've been in the Navy for 36 years."
Canterbury arrived home to the Devonport Naval Base around 3am this morning and a court of inquiry process investigating the circumstances of the accident has been launched.
The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, has expressed his regret at the tragedy and extended his condolences to the families of the sailors.
Commodore Anson expects the inquiry to take several weeks.
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZ HERALD STAFF
