NZ sailors in hospital after Sydney lifeboat crash

Eleven New Zealand sailors remained in Sydney hospitals last night after a lifeboat with 22 aboard tumbled from the tanker HMNZS Endeavour and landed upside down in the sea.

Despite original fears of serious spinal injuries, the ship's captain, Commander David Hedgley, said last night that none of the sailors was seriously injured.

Fifteen were taken to hospital, but four were discharged late yesterday afternoon.

"Eleven are being kept in for observation overnight," he said, "partly because of the cold, their spinal contusions, and any shock that might eventuate."

He said the injured sailors had mainly suffered bumps and sprains.

Three of the sailors were in St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, and the remaining eight were staying the night at the Royal Australian Naval Hospital, HMAS Penguin.

The accident happened about 12.50pm (NZT) while the tanker was docked at Garden Island naval base in Sydney Harbour.

The crew were conducting lifeboat drills when the hoist used to lower the lifeboat from the ship appeared to snap, causing the lifeboat to fall into the water, crashing against the ship on the way.

The lifeboat fell about 10m and landed upside down, but the sailors, who were wearing lifejackets, were out of it almost immediately, Commander Hedgley said.

While some swam to safety, others were pulled from the water. Support boats also came to the rescue.

Commander Hedgley said none of the sailors was in the water for longer than 15 minutes, but some suffered from the cold in that time.

He said the rescue and medical efforts by the Royal Australian Navy and NSW ambulance service were superb, but he said the majority of rescues were conducted by the Endeavour's crew.

"They were bringing their family in.

"They were throwing rescue buoys, lifebelts and ropes to bring them to the ship's side and get them out."

He said all the ship's company were heroes as far as he was concerned.

"The fact that I'm talking to you about 22 people who were involved in the incident and I expect them all back soon, that's really the measure of the heroism."

Commander Hedgley said he could not comment on the cause of the accident which was the subject of an investigation by the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

"I didn't see anything, and it's unfair for me to speculate," he said.

Commander Hedgley, a Briton with 29 years' naval experience, the last eight with the New Zealand Navy, said it had been a harrowing day for all of the ship's company.

"If any trauma has happened to a family, you've got to look at it from that point of view.

"We've got 49 people aboard this ship who were actually shocked by the whole thing.

"Our friends and buddies and the people we serve with have all been involved," he said.

"If I was to use the analogy that the family is rallying around, we are gaining support from ourselves, we have had excellent support from the Royal Australian Navy, and it's really encouraging to know we have the support of our families and all the people back in New Zealand as well."

The Endeavour, a replenishment tanker, had been in Sydney for training with the Australian Navy and would now stay on there until all the New Zealand sailors were fit to travel.

The tanker was heading to Asia to take fuel and supplies to the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, which was on a five-month deployment to Australia and Southeast Asia for exercises.

- HERALD STAFF, NZPA