The Armidale Class Patrol Boat, HMAS Bundaberg, has suffered extensive damage following yesterday’s fire in Brisbane while undergoing routine maintenance at Aluminium Boats Australia (ABA).
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service was quickly in attendance to deal with the incident. The intensity of the fire and difficulty of access was such that the fire was not extinguished until around 5pm.
Early indications are that the fire started in the forward part of vessel and made it to the aft section, causing extensive damage throughout.
Two civilians were treated for smoke inhalation and one was taken to hospital for observation; all other workforce and Navy personnel were evacuated.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
HMAS Bundaberg was undertaking a programmed maintenance period.
HMAS Bundaberg is one of 14 patrol boats rotating through border protection operations. As the vessel was undertaking a programmed maintenance period there is no immediate effect to ongoing operations.
Defence would like to thank Queensland emergency services for their efforts in extinguishing the fire yesterday afternoon.
Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
