Australian Naval History on 26 August 2001

The master of the MV TAMPA, (CAPT Arne Rinnan), attempted to take his vessel to Indonesia, to offload the 460 people he had rescued from the fishing boat PALAPA. Several of the refugees threatened him with violence, and also that they would jump overboard, unless the ship sailed to Australia. CAPT Rinnan requested permission to enter Australian waters, however, this was refused as the rescue had taken place in International waters, and the vessel and crew were Indonesian. HMAS MANOORA, (landing platform amphibious), then en-route to the Philippines, was redirected south to Christmas Island, to be on standby to support Australian Government directives.