Vessel grounding probe close to end
FOUR years of non-stop training has delivered Cairns ballet dancer Jules Chastre on to the doorsteps of the world’s most prestigious ballet school in England A LONG-RUNNING investigation into the grounding of an Australian Border Force patrol boat on the Great Barrier Reef is expected to be finalised by the incident’s second anniversary.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s investigation into the ABFC Roebuck Bay, which became grounded on Henry Reef, off Lockhart River 20 months ago, has become the bureau’s longest current maritime investigation. at the age of 13.
Chastre has been chosen as one of only two Australians this year to join the ranks of the Royal Ballet School White Lodge in London.
He began his ballet journey at the age of nine, but has been
The multimillion-dollar cutter sustained an estimated $3 million worth of damage to its keel, stabiliser fins and propellers after it crashed into the coral reef on September 30, 2017.
Since then, however, the exact cause of the incident, which involved a faulty guidance system, has not yet been made public.
An ATSB spokesman said the bureau’s investigation into the maritime mishap was in its final stages of completion.
“This complex and detailed investigation’s draft report was dancing since seven and has dreamt of becoming a professional dancer for just as long.
“I can’t wait to be in London and join the Royal Ballet School, and have a different culture to dance around and be sent to directly involved parties – individuals or organisations outside the ATSB who possess direct knowledge of the circumstances of the incident – in early May to give them the opportunity to comment on the report before its publication to ensure their input has been accurately reflected,” he said.
“ATSB management will then review and assess any feedback provided by (these parties) before the report is forwarded to the ATSB Commission for its final approval.
“Depending on the extent of that final feedback, the ATSB in,” Chastre said.
“I’m going to miss my family and dancing with the teachers at (Turning Pointe Dance Studios) but I think I’m going to have a really good time.”
Chastre leaves home at the end of August to start his new anticipates being able to publish the final investigation report in the third quarter of this year.”
He said the investigation had become more complex than initially envisaged.
“This complexity expanded the scope and depth of the investigation, with a particular focus on the operation use of Electronic Chart Display and Information System technology,” he said.
“The ATSB is confident the report’s findings around the use of ECDIS will have broad relevance to the international maritime industry.” life at the Royal Ballet School on September 9.
He will train with the junior school at White Lodge for two years before getting the chance to transition to the senior school at Covent Garden for a further three years. A GIANT of conservation responsible for the protection of more than 2 million ha of rainforest and the first director of the Wet Tropics Management Authority has lost his battle with lymphatic cancer, aged 75.
Peter Hitchcock will be remembered as a tireless and dedicated wildlife warrior who directly worked with two prime ministers, was named a Member of the Order of Australia and was appointed adjunct research fellow at the Cairns Institute of James Cook University.
Reflecting on Mr Hitchcock’s life, his brother David remembered a man always willing to help anyone with a desire to learn.
“He opened his home to young students in their quest for knowledge; he was very supportive of anyone who needed help,” he said.
“He was very much inclusive of all his staff and always thought continually about their wellbeing.”
The son of a cabinet-maker, Mr Hitchcock studied for a forestry degree before working with NSW National Parks where he was instrumental in the establishment of rainforest parks around Dorrigo which were now World Heritage listed.
In Far North Queensland, he served as a global adviser on World Heritage to UNESCO’s International Union for the Conservation of Nature and reviewed nominations for World Heritage listing all over the world.
He was a dedicated family man and is survived by his wife Liana, sister Pauline, brother David, and children Phillip, Jenny, Ellie, Joe and Jess.
“He has always been a very supportive brother; we knew his dedication and focus was to his own family and to ensure conservation globally was his passion,” his brother said.