Bureau report hits snag
Roebuck Bay findings now due in late 2018 Hospital review for Far North
HOW an Australian Border Force patrol boat grounded on the Great Barrier Reef will not be known at least until the end of this year – more than 12 months after the maritime crash.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was initially due to release its findings into the grounding of the Roebuck Bay at Henry Reef, north of Lockhart River, this month.
However, the bureau now says its investigation into the September 30 grounding is not expected to be completed until the final quarter of 2018.
It was revealed during a Senate estimates hearing last month that the Armidale-class vessel suffered damage estimated at $3 million when it ran aground on the remote reef.
A large section of its hull was torn away and operating systems were damaged.
The ABF has previously blamed the episode on dodgy navigational charts, however, the bureau during its preliminary investigations into the nautical mishap has suggested that human error may be the cause.
An ATSB spokesman said the investigation into the grounding of the Roebuck Bay was “progressing well”, despite being pushed back to the end of the year.
“Transport safety investigations are complex and dynamic,” he said.
“The completion of an investigation can be delayed due to a range of reasons, including being influenced by factors outside of the ATSB’s control.
“In this case, the investigation is progressing well, however the ATSB is waiting on additional information from an overseas equipment manufacturer.”
He said should the bureau identify a critical safety issue at any point in the investigation, it would immediately notify relevant parties.
The Roebuck Bay, which is still dry-docked while it undergoes extensive repairs at a Portsmith shipyard, is due back in service in September. A REVIEW of the Far North’s rural hospitals will be carried out to find out how they help relieve pressure on Cairns Hospital.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Board yesterday announced the health service would undertake the review of hospitals including Mareeba, Atherton and Innisfail.
Rural and remote services executive director Gabrielle Honeywood said the service would develop a business case on what services could be delivered closer to people’s homes and to reduce the reliance on Cairns Hospital.
Ms Honeywood said the board also approved investment in endoscopy services at Mareeba Hospital.
“The staff and services will be funded as part of the $3.8 million State Government program to reduce waiting times for endoscopy patients across the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service,” she said.