The Finding Sydney Foundation will hold a media conference after the return of SV Geosounder to the Port of Geraldton, following the successful discovery of the wrecks of HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran.
Where: City of Geraldton-Greenough Chambers, cnr of Mt Magnet Rd & Edwards Rd, Utakarra, Geraldton.
When: 10am Friday 21st March 2008
Background
HMAS Sydney II was tragically lost in November 1941 in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia with its entire crew of 645, following a fierce engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran. HSK Kormoran was damaged and consequently scuttled, with 317 of her nearly 400 crew surviving the engagement.
The Foundation’s chartered vessel SV Geosounder departed the Port of Geraldton, on 3 March to begin the mission, led by shipwreck investigator Mr David Mearns supported by a crew of thirty personnel including Foundation Director, Glenys McDonald and RAN Historian, Lieutenant John Perryman.
On Wednesday 12 March, the wreck of HSK Kormoran was located approximately 112 nautical miles off the West Australian coast. Subsequently on Sunday 16 March the wreck of HMAS Sydney was located some 12.2 nautical miles from the German wreck.
Media Notes
1. The Directors of The Foundation; Commodore Rick Shalders, RAN, Senior Naval Officer WA; The Hon Alan Carpenter MLA, Premier of Western Australia; David Mearns and Lieutenant John Perryman, RANR, will be available for interview after the media conference.
2. The SV Geosounder is expected to return to the Port of Geraldton on Thursday 20th March, though her exact ETA will be subject to completion of current work offshore. Following discussions with Perth TV Networks, one cameraman will film the arrival of the Geosounder with vision being distributed on a pool basis to all networks. Opportunities will also be made available for print media. For further information contact Mr Gary Booth, Defence Public Affairs (WA) on 0418 223 807.
3. Please note the opportunity to board the vessel will not be possible due to re-mobilisation operations onboard.
4. No media interviews will be conducted onboard the vessel or at the quayside upon arrival.
5. Timing for the media event may change due to operations onboard the search vessel or environmental constraints. A confirmation advice of the timings will be provided to all media who register with Gary Booth.
Media Contacts:
Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749
Mr Gary Booth
Defence Public Affairs (WA)
+61-418 223 807