Endeavour crew prepare to sail

1.00pm

SYDNEY - The New Zealand navy tanker HMNZS Endeavour is expected to sail later today after an inquiry into an accident which left several crew injured is completed.

Seventeen sailors were hurt, two badly, when a fibreglass lifeboat fell while being hoisted from the boat into the sea.

Defence Force spokesman Commander Sandy McKie said the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's court of inquiry into the accident was expected to be completed this morning.

The Endeavour's departure for Singapore depended on the outcome of the inquiry.

"If she's cleared the plan is for her to go this afternoon."

A traditional Maori farewell would see the ship off before it sailed to join the Anzac frigate HMNZS Te Kaha doing exercises in Southeast Asia.

A junior male sailor and junior female rating, who suffered vertebrae injuries in the accident, remained in St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney today.

Fifteen other sailors were slightly hurt.

They were all rescued from the sea within 15 minutes by Endeavour crew and boats from Australian navy ships at the Australian navy's Sydney fleet base.

- NZPA